New Delhi: Most of the 242 people on board the Air India aircraft that crashed near the Ahmedabad airport are feared dead, a top official in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) told ThePrint. The DGCA however is yet to issue an official statement on the casualties.
Another senior DGCA official present at the site told ThePrint, “Teams are working to collect the debris of the aircraft for inspection.” He added that medical teams are securing bodies of the deceased.
The aircraft, Air India AI17, was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London’s Gatwick airport. However, it crashed shortly after takeoff. According to Flightradar24, the aircraft reached a maximum barometric altitude of 625 feet and then started to descend with a vertical speed of 475 feet per minute.
Air India says 169 passengers on board were Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals.
The plane was under the command of Capt Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer Clive Kundar. Capt Sumeet Sabharwal had 8200 hours of experience. The co-pilot had 1100 hours of flying experience.
The TATA group on X shared an official statement from the Air India chairman N. Chandrasekaran confirming the crash. “At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted.”
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu earlier in the day said he was personally monitoring the situation. “I have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action. Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site.”
More than 400 personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force’s (CISF’s) Additional Security Group (ASG), Ahmedabad unit, which included off duty personnel, immediately rushed to the spot to be part of the search and rescue operations, as well as preserve components of the aircraft for post-incident investigation.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to the Gujarat Chief Minister, Home Minister and the Police Commissioner regarding the plane crash. He also assured to provide central government assistance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer have both reacted. Modi wrote in a post on X: “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.”
Also Read: What are safety questions around Boeing Dreamliners? Ahmedabad crash is 6th incident in 2025