Ahmedabad plane crash: 'Utterly shocked and deeply anguished' - Sports fraternity reacts as flight with 242 onboard goes down
London-bound Air India plane crashed moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport (PTI Photo)
NEW DELHI: In a heart-wrenching tragedy on Thursday afternoon, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
The aircraft, operating as flight AI171 and bound for London Gatwick, plummeted into the Meghani locality, sparking a massive fire due to its full fuel load for the long-haul journey.
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Authorities confirmed 242 people were onboard: 230 passengers, two pilots, and ten crew members. Rescue operations are ongoing, but the full scale of casualties remains unclear.
Commanded by Capt Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer Clive Kundar, the aircraft's rapid descent and subsequent explosion have triggered a nationwide response.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation, and technical teams from Boeing are expected to assist.
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Emergency responders, including three NDRF teams with more en route, are working under difficult conditions, with intense fires complicating rescue efforts.
Gujarat Chief Minister
Bhupendra Patel has ordered swift medical and logistical support, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured central government coordination.
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The nation is reeling from the shock, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi instructing Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Amit Shah to visit Ahmedabad and provide on-ground support.
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Meanwhile, Air India and airport authorities have temporarily suspended operations and activated emergency protocols to support affected families.
The sports community, too, is in mourning.
Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh posted, 'I am utterly shocked and deeply anguished...
My thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims and their families.' Tennis icon Sania Mirza shared a heartfelt message on X, writing, 'My heart sank hearing the news of the crash… praying praying praying.'
Former cricketer Irfan Pathan, a native of Gujarat, expressed disbelief and sorrow, urging prayers for all involved. Cue sports champion Pankaj Advani also paid tribute, calling the incident a 'heartbreaking tragedy'.
The flight manifest reportedly included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, and others from Canada and Portugal. Air India chairman N. Chandrasekaran confirmed the crash in an official statement, emphasising the airline's full support for the victims and their families.
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