Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran announced on Thursday that the company will provide ₹1 crore to the family of each person who lost their life in the Air India crash near Ahmedabad. The announcement came hours after the fatal crash of Air India’s flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick.
He said the group would also cover the medical expenses of injured passengers and ensure all necessary care and support. Additionally, Tata will assist in developing the hostel facility of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad.
“No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and with those who have been injured,” Chandrasekaran stated.
242 people onboard as plane erupts into flames
Flight AI171 took off at 1:39 p.m. from Runway 23 at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft issued a Mayday call but did not respond further. The plane had 242 people onboard, including 230 passengers, two pilots, and ten cabin crew.
Capt Sumeet Sabharwal, a veteran with over 8,200 hours of flying experience, was in command along with First Officer Clive Kundar.
The aircraft crashed outside the airport perimeter and caught fire immediately, sending thick black smoke into the air. It had been heavily fuelled for the long-haul flight, worsening the fire post-impact.
Rescue efforts underway, no casualty figures confirmed yet
The crash site, located near Meghaninagar, saw a rapid deployment of emergency services. Multiple fire engines, ambulances, and rescue teams reached the scene swiftly.
Three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising 90 personnel were dispatched from Gandhinagar. Additional teams from Vadodara are also en route.
At the time of reporting, authorities had not released the official casualty count. Air India stated that it is still verifying details and will continue sharing updates via its official website and social media.
Capt Sumeet Sabharwal, a veteran with over 8,200 hours of flying experience, was in command. He was joined by First Officer Clive Kundar.
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