United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed profound sorrow over the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171 near Ahmedabad, offering his condolences to the victims’ families and solidarity with the people of India.
In a statement issued by Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq on Thursday, Guterres said he was “deeply saddened by the news of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on 12 June, which claimed the lives of more than 200 people aboard, as well as casualties on the ground at the BJ Medical College hostel, which was struck during the crash.”
The UN Chief extended “his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of India, as well as to all countries whose citizens were affected by this tragedy.” He also wished a “swift and full recovery” to those injured.
The crash involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to Gatwick Airport, London, with 242 passengers and crew members onboard. The aircraft went down minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport, reportedly after issuing a distress call.Tragically, the plane crashed into a hostel building at BJ Medical College, killing at least five people on the ground. Emergency crews responded swiftly, and search operations are ongoing.
Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, who visited the site immediately after the incident, confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has begun a full-scale probe. Recovery of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR)—commonly known as the black boxes—is now underway to help determine the cause of the disaster.
While official details are awaited, initial investigations are focused on mechanical issues and possible engine failure, given the pilot’s last-minute distress signal.
