By – Prakarsh Kastwar
Ahmedabad, June 13, 2025 —
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ahmedabad early this morning to assess the situation following the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171. The aircraft, which was en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday afternoon, leading to the deaths of 266 individuals, including 241 people onboard and 25 on the ground.
The Prime Minister visited the crash site in the Meghani Nagar area, where the aircraft tragically struck a residential hostel. He was accompanied by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, and Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol.
PM Modi closely examined the wreckage and received a detailed briefing from rescue officials and aviation authorities about the timeline of the crash, rescue efforts, and the ongoing investigation. He stressed the importance of transparency and swift assistance to the victims’ families.
Visit to Civil Hospital
Following his site inspection, Prime Minister Modi visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital where he met the sole known survivor of the crash — a critically injured passenger currently receiving intensive care. He also interacted with medical staff and praised their prompt response in handling the emergency.
Support for Victims’ Families
Air India has set up special assistance centers at four locations — Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and London Gatwick — to help the families and loved ones of those onboard the ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The flight, which took off at 13:38 IST, carried 242 individuals, including 169 Indian nationals and several citizens from the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Canada.
Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose death has sent shockwaves across the state and political circles. A state mourning has been declared in Gujarat as a mark of respect.
National Response and Investigation
Civil Aviation Minister Naidu provided the Prime Minister with updates on the status of the black box recovery, the preliminary assessment of the crash, and coordination with international aviation safety experts. A high-level committee has been constituted to investigate the crash in collaboration with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Boeing representatives.
PM Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended his condolences to the grieving families. “This is a national tragedy. Every life lost is a loss to the country. We are doing everything possible to support the victims and uncover the truth behind this horrifying incident,” the Prime Minister stated.
Flight AI-171 Crash Overview
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
- Flight Number: AI-171
- Route: Ahmedabad to London Gatwick
- Takeoff Time: 13:38 IST, Thursday
- Fatalities: 266 (241 onboard, 25 on ground)
- Survivor: 1 critically injured passenger
- Victim Nationalities: India, UK, Portugal, Canada
The nation mourns the lives lost in what is being called one of the worst aviation disasters in Indian history. More updates are expected as investigations progress.