Rescue operations continued in full swing on Friday following the catastrophic crash of Air India flight 171 near Ahmedabad, which killed 241 people on board. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has now deployed seven teams to the crash site and has so far recovered 81 bodies from the wreckage.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, slamming into a resident doctors’ hostel building near the airport perimeter.
NDRF Inspector Vinay Kumar, while updating the media, confirmed the ongoing nature of the recovery mission: “The operation is not yet complete. We have recovered 81 bodies so far. Seven teams of NDRF have been deployed,” he stated.
Air India confirmed late Thursday night that 241 of the 242 people onboard had died in the crash. The lone survivor, a British national of Indian origin, is currently under medical treatment.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, has launched a formal probe into the crash, adhering to protocols laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
“A high-level committee comprising experts from various disciplines will also be constituted to examine the incident and suggest measures to strengthen aviation safety,” Naidu posted on X.
In parallel, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is dispatching a team of investigators to assist Indian authorities. “The NTSB will be leading a team of US investigators travelling to India to assist the AAIB with its investigation,” the NTSB said in a statement, adding that all official updates will be provided by the Indian government as per ICAO’s Annex 13 guidelines.
Flight AI171 had departed Ahmedabad at 1:38 PM IST on June 12, bound for London Gatwick. According to Air Traffic Control, the aircraft made a Mayday call shortly after takeoff from runway 23 but did not respond to subsequent communication. Within minutes, it crashed outside the airport perimeter, sending thick black smoke into the sky.
The aircraft was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with over 8,200 flying hours, and co-piloted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had 1,100 hours of flight experience.
Among the deceased were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian.
The Tata Group, which owns Air India, has announced a compensation of ₹1 crore for each victim’s family and pledged full medical support for the survivor. The group has also committed to supporting the reconstruction of the damaged B J Medical College doctors’ hostel.
A dedicated hotline has been set up for families seeking information:
- India: 1800 5691 444
- International: +91 8062779200
Further updates will be made available through Air India’s official communication channels.