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Dear reader, I write with a heavy heart today. In a devastating tragedy, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner (VT-ANB), operating flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday afternoon, carrying 242 people on board — 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. The crash occurred just nine minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, which has now been closed until further notice. One person has miraculously survived, while 241 are feared dead. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating that the incident has “stunned and saddened everyone.” For families looking for information, Air India has established a dedicated helpline: 1800 5691 444. My thoughts are with the families, friends, and loved ones of everyone on board. We’ll continue to follow the story (check out our live updates) and bring you verified updates as they come in. Watch | Moment when the Air India flight crashed in Ahmedabad minutes after take-off
💡Spotlight Heartbreaking scenes unfolded at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital after an Air India flight bound for London crashed near the city. Bodies—many unrecognisable, still strapped in seatbelts—were wheeled into the trauma centre, some with burns so severe that identification remains nearly impossible. Here's what we know so far: 📌 What happened?
AI-171 took off from Ahmedabad at 1:39 p.m. and issued a MAYDAY distress call moments later. The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control at just 625 feet and crash-landed nine minutes after departure in the densely populated Meghani Nagar area, erupting into flames. 📌 Was there any warning?
Yes. A MAYDAY call indicated an emergency right after takeoff, but no follow-up communication was received. The cause—whether mechanical failure, bird strike, or something else—remains under investigation by the DGCA and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. 📌 Severe burns Dr Pranjal Modi, director at the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre, described the grim situation: "Faces are burnt, skin is gone… they are unconscious. Our priority is survival.” He added that even survivors may not all have been passengers; some could be bystanders from the crash site. 📌Unclear identities Doctors are struggling to verify identities. “Several patients still had seatbelts on; how does one check their pockets?” Dr Modi asked. Forensic teams are expected to assist with DNA identification in the coming days. 📌 Government helplines activated The Gujarat government has issued helpline numbers: 079-232-51900 and 9978405304 for updates related to the crash.
🚨 Must Read Takeoff and landing troubles Thursday’s tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad highlights a grim truth in aviation: take-off and landing are the riskiest phases of flight. According to global data from IATA and Boeing, over 70% of aviation accidents occur during these brief windows. Why? Aircraft are low, slow, and under stress during these phases, which leaves pilots with little time or space to respond. Engines work hardest during take-off, and pilots must manage complex variables when landing. At cruising altitude, there's time to troubleshoot. Near the ground, a stall, mechanical failure, or misjudgement can turn catastrophic in seconds. Nevertheless, air travel remains statistically the safest mode of transport. Kerala Nurse’s journey ends in tragedy Among the 242 lives lost in Thursday’s devastating Air India crash was Ranjitha Gopakumaran, a 42-year-old nurse from Pullad village in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district. Ranjitha had recently secured a job in the UK’s healthcare system, yet she never abandoned her dream — to return home and serve in Kerala’s state health service. She had returned to India just three days earlier, taking a short break to oversee the construction of her new home. On Wednesday, she began her journey back to London, taking a train to Kochi and then flying to Ahmedabad. Her life was cut short just minutes after takeoff. That’s all for now. Until next time, Aishwarya Khosla
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