Ahmedabad – In a tragic incident that has shaken the nation, an Air India flight (AI171) en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed just five minutes after takeoff in a residential area near Meghaninagar, Gujarat. The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was carrying 242 people, including crew members. Following the disaster, the Tata Group, which owns Air India, has announced a compensation package for the victims' families.
Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran has confirmed that ₹1 crore will be given to the families of each deceased passenger as financial assistance.
He further stated that the Tata Group will also cover all medical expenses for the injured, ensuring they receive complete care and support during recovery.
In addition to the financial support for victims and survivors, Tata will assist in the construction of a new hostel building for BJ Medical College, which has played a vital role in emergency care during the incident.
“The grief we are experiencing cannot be described in words,” Chandrasekaran said. “Our prayers and heartfelt condolences go out to the families who lost their loved ones and those who are recovering from injuries.”
According to initial reports, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:39 PM and crashed within minutes near Meghaninagar.
The plane, heavily loaded with fuel for its long-haul journey to London, exploded into flames upon impact. Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene of fire and destruction as rescue teams, fire brigades, and ambulances rushed to the site.
While air travel is generally considered one of the safest modes of transportation, this catastrophic event has sparked renewed concerns about aviation safety protocols in India. The government and civil aviation authorities are expected to launch a full investigation into the cause of the crash.
