President Bola Tinubu has extended heartfelt condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government, and the people of the Republic of India following the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 carrying 242 passengers and crew near Ahmedabad on Thursday.
On his part, US President Donald Trump extended his condolences and offered American assistance to India following the devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad which left 241 dead and just one known survivor, 40-year-old Ramesh Viswashkumar, so far from among the 242 people on board.
The Air India flight bound for London which carried two pilots, 10 cabin crew, 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India, yesterday.
Reports by Reuters and Asian News International (ANI) hinted the aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was operating Flight AI171 to London’s Gatwick International Airport when the incident occurred.
The report also added that at least 242 passengers were on board at the time of the crash. However, official confirmation of the total number of passengers and crew is still pending.
In remarks to reporters, Trump called the incident “terrible” and said the United States stands ready to assist.
“We saw the plane, it looked like it was flying pretty well, it didn’t look like there was an explosion, just looked like the engines maybe lost power,” Trump said at an event at the White House.
Meanwhile, a statement issued on Thursday by presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, expressed the president’s “deep sorrow over the tragic incident and offered prayers for the families of the victims, the injured, and the entire Indian nation during this moment of grief.”
President Tinubu also commiserated with the leaders of Great Britain, Portugal, and Canada over losing their nationals on the ill-fated flight.
According to him: “The tragedy of Air India reminds us, once again, of the fragility of life and the common bond of humanity that holds us together.
“At this moment of sorrow and pain, Nigeria stands in solidarity with our friend, brother and partner, Narendra Modi, and the people of India. Nigeria also deeply sympathises with the families and friends of other victims on board the aircraft”.
The President commended the swift response of the emergency agencies in India and expressed his confidence in their capacity and compassion to make a difference in the complicated situation.
He prayed that the Almighty God will receive the souls of the departed and comfort their families.
Reports by Reuters and Asian News International (ANI) hinted the aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was operating Flight AI171 to London’s Gatwick International Airport when the incident occurred.
The report also added that at least 242 passengers were on board at the time of the crash. However, official confirmation of the total number of passengers and crew is still pending.
Reports by Reuters and Asian News International (ANI) said thick plumes of black smoke were seen rising from the crash site near Meghani Nagar, a densely populated area adjacent to the airport.
Emergency response teams, including fire brigades and ambulances, were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that only one person, a British national, survived the Air India Flight A1171 tragic crash, as over 200 people lost their lives when the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed seconds after take-off from Ahmedabad airport on its way to London’s Gatwick airport.
Vishwash on passenger seat number 11A was in India for a few days to visit his family and was going back to the UK along with his brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh (45) could not make it from the crash.
According to Hindustan Times, while the authorities are still investigating the reason for the crash, experts say engine failure or a bird hit (strike) soon after take-off could have downed the Air India passenger aircraft.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of India is probing into what caused the Boeing 787-8 aircraft.
Hindustan Times reported that three senior wide-body pilots, who are also instructors, told PTI that the videos of the accident showed the engines couldn’t get enough thrust during the take-off, which resulted in the plane crashing onto buildings in a residential area.
Air India, in a released statement acknowledging the incident, stated: “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest.”
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the aircraft took off at 1:17 PM local time and crashed within minutes.
The flight was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with First Officer Clive Kundar assisting.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, with officials from the DGCA and Air India expected to conduct a thorough assessment.
