New Delhi: Shock and grief overwhelmed leaders from different parties as they reacted to the crash of an Air India flight to London shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI-171, was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.”
The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2025
Union Home Minister Amit Shah was among the first to react, stating that he was “pained beyond words” by the incident. Taking to X, he wrote: “Pained beyond words by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. Disaster response forces have been quickly rushed to the crash site. Spoke with the Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, Home Minister Shri Harsh Sanghavi, and Commissioner of Police Ahmedabad to assess the situation.”
Pained beyond words by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. Disaster response forces have been quickly rushed to the crash site. Spoke with the Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, Home Minister Shri Harsh Sanghavi, and Commissioner of Police Ahmedabad to assess the…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 12, 2025
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said he was “shocked and devastated” by the incident. “I’m personally monitoring the situation. All agencies have been directed to respond swiftly,” he posted on social media.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar wrote on X, “Deeply shocked to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. Our prayers are with the passengers and their families.”
Defense minister Rajnath Singh wrote: “Deeply anguished by the news of tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the passengers and the crew.”
BJP National President J P Nadda said: “The news of many people being killed in the plane crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat is extremely sad. I appeal to all BJP workers to engage in relief and rescue operations and provide all possible help to the affected families. I pray to God to give strength to the bereaved families to bear the unbearable pain and to provide speedy recovery to the injured.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called the plane crash “tragic” and added that she was praying for survivors. “We anxiously wait for details,” she said in a statement.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed deep sorrow over the accident and pointed out that rescue operations were in progress.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said he was praying for the safety of all the crew members and passengers present onboard.