Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Over 100 Bodies Recovered, Flights Resume at Airport After Major Tragedy

Photo: PTI

A London-bound Air India flight tragically crashed just one minute after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including 169 Indians and 53 British nationals, when it went down near Meghaninagar, a residential area close to the airport.

The aircraft took off at 1:38 PM and crashed within minutes, bursting into flames and sending thick smoke billowing into the sky. Several houses and a doctor’s hostel were damaged. As of now, more than 100 bodies have been recovered from the debris, with 30–35 bodies pulled from one building alone, according to local rescue officials. Sadly, all 242 people onboard are feared dead.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the flight was operated by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a senior pilot with over 8,200 flight hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had 1,100 hours of flight experience. Shortly after takeoff, the captain issued a MAYDAY emergency call to air traffic control. That was the last transmission before the plane crashed at 1:39 PM IST.

Rescue & Emergency Response

Firefighters, NDRF teams, police, and medical units rushed to the site. The fire was intense because the aircraft was fully fueled for its long-haul flight to London Gatwick, which may have worsened the explosion.

The Ahmedabad Airport was temporarily closed but resumed limited operations later in the evening. The Civil Aviation Ministry, Air India, and local police set up helpline numbers for families seeking information.

Helpline Numbers

• Air India: 1800 5691 444

• Civil Aviation Ministry: 011-24610843, 9650391859

• Ahmedabad Police: 079-25620359

• Control Room: 9978405304, 079-23251900

• Airport Helpline: 9974111327

• British Nationals: UK Foreign Office – 020 7008 5000

Global Reactions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow, calling the incident “heartbreaking beyond words.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the crash “devastating” and assured support for British citizens affected by the tragedy. The UK and Indian governments are coordinating closely for recovery and identification efforts.

About the Aircraft

The crashed plane was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has acknowledged the incident and is working to gather detailed information. The black box is yet to be recovered and will be crucial in understanding what went wrong.

This crash marks one of the worst aviation disasters in recent Indian history and has shocked people around the world.