A forensic investigation team reached the site of the devastating Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad on Friday, beginning the detailed probe into the country’s deadliest air tragedy in recent years that claimed 241 lives, including 12 crew members.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ahmedabad on Friday morning and visited the crash site near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel accompanied him during the visit.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who inspected the crash site a day earlier, described the horrifying intensity of the disaster. He emphasized that due to the burning of nearly 1.25 lakh litres of jet fuel, the chances of survival were negligible. “The temperature was extremely high due to the fuel combustion, leaving no possibility of rescue. Around 1,000 DNA samples have been collected to identify the victims accurately,” Shah told the media.
Shah detailed the swift multi-agency response after the incident, saying, “Within 10 minutes, all major agencies including the Prime Minister, Gujarat Home Minister, and Civil Aviation authorities were informed. Relief operations began immediately with combined efforts from central and state teams.”
The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft took off for London Gatwick at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from Runway 23, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Minutes later, after issuing a Mayday call, the aircraft crashed into a resident doctors’ hostel building near the airport perimeter.
The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned Line Training Captain with 8,200 flight hours, and assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, with 1,100 flying hours.
Of the 242 people onboard, 241 fatalities have been confirmed. The only survivor is a British national of Indian origin, currently hospitalized in critical condition. The passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has formally begun its investigation into the tragedy, adhering to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) protocols. A special high-level committee with experts from various disciplines is being constituted to ensure a thorough review of aviation safety standards.
Additionally, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be sending a team to assist Indian authorities in the technical investigation.
The Tata Group, owner of Air India, has announced a compensation of ₹1 crore for each deceased passenger’s family and has set up helpline numbers for the affected families: 1800 5691 444 (India) and +91 8062779200 (International).
The crash has deeply shaken India’s aviation sector, and the central government has vowed to take all necessary steps to determine the cause and prevent such tragedies in the future.