Civil Hospital Ahmedabad Activated; Gujarat Govt Mobilizes Top-Level Bureaucracy for Emergency Response
A tragic aviation disaster struck Gujarat on Thursday afternoon when an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner (VT-ANB), operating as Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 242 passengers and crew members on board.
Swift Emergency Response & Hospital Coordination
In the wake of the tragedy, the Gujarat Administrative Department (GAD) responded swiftly, deploying four senior IAS officers to oversee operations at Civil Hospital Ahmedabad, which is handling casualties, postmortem procedures, and family support.
The appointed IAS officers are:
Nitin Sangwan – Director, Employment and Training, Gandhinagar
Harshit Gosavi – Joint Secretary (Law and Order), Home Department
Arvind V – MD, Gujarat Informatics Ltd (GIL)
Dr. Prashant Jilova – Regional Commissioner of Municipalities, Ahmedabad
These officers will report directly to Dhananjay Dwivedi, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, and operate under his supervision.
32 GAS Officers Assigned to Relief Operations
Additionally, the government has assigned 32 Gujarat Administrative Service officers—including 16 Junior Scale Class-1 officers and 16 Mamlatdar Class-2 officers—to the Revenue Department’s Relief Division with immediate effect. Their postings will remain in place until further notice.
Crash Timeline: Just Minutes After Takeoff
According to airport officials, the flight crashed approximately nine minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA).
The aircraft was carrying:
169 Indian nationals
53 British nationals
7 Portuguese citizens
1 Canadian citizen
Along with 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew members
Eyewitnesses and rescue teams reported thick black smoke and a massive blaze, making rescue operations extremely challenging. Authorities believe severe onboard burns caused instant fatalities. Several bodies were recovered with seatbelts still fastened, indicating the suddenness of the impact.
Global Condolences Pour In
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow, calling the crash “a heartbreaking national tragedy.” Condolences have also been issued by leaders from the UK, Portugal, and Canada, with their embassies preparing to assist in the aftermath and support victim families.
Air India Issues Statement, Helpline Activated
Air India confirmed the incident, stating:
“Flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today. We are currently verifying details and will provide further updates soon.”
The airline has launched a dedicated helpline – 1800 5691 444 – to assist the families of those onboard. Coordination efforts are underway with both domestic and international authorities to manage the crisis and begin investigations.
Airport Suspended, Hundreds of Flights Affected
In light of the crash, SVPI Airport in Ahmedabad has been closed until further notice, with all domestic and international operations suspended, causing major disruptions to flight schedules and passenger travel.
Investigation Underway; Black Box Search in Progress
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are leading the initial investigation. Search teams are actively working to retrieve the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)—critical to uncovering the cause of this devastating crash.
The entire nation mourns this tragedy as officials work round the clock to support victims’ families and uncover the truth behind one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent history.
