2 Manipur cabin crew among dead as Air India Dreamliner crashes in Ahmedabad

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 12, 2025

Two cabin crew members from Manipur, Lamnunthem Singson and Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam, were among those who lost their lives in the devastating Air India plane crash that occurred in Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon.

Nganthoi, a dedicated Air India employee, hailed from Imphal, while Lamnunthem Singson, who had recently relocated with her family to Kanggui Town, Sadar Hills, had sought refuge from the ongoing ethnic unrest in Manipur.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (Flight AI171) was en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick when it crashed just minutes after takeoff at 1:38 PM from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew, went down in a residential area near BJ Medical College hostel in Ahmedabad’s Meghaninagar, triggering a massive explosion and structural collapse.

Air India confirmed that the crash involved 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 1 Canadian, and 7 Portuguese nationals. The plane was captained by Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned Line Training Captain with over 8,200 flight hours, assisted by First Officer Clive Kunder, with 1,100 flight hours.

The impact site included the BJ Medical College hostel, adjacent to Civil Hospital. At the time, the hostel mess was crowded with MBBS interns and students. Early rescue reports and eyewitness accounts suggest several medical students may have perished. Social media is flooded with distressing visuals of the burning wreckage and the destroyed buildings.

The incident has sparked national grief. Air India, in a symbolic act of mourning, changed its social media profile to black, a gesture last made after the Kozhikode crash in August 2020. The airline has also set up a dedicated helpline (1800 5691 444) for families seeking information.

The aircraft involved — the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner — is known for its fuel efficiency, advanced features, and passenger comfort. It first took flight in 2009 and is considered a modern workhorse for long-haul travel.

Air operations at Ahmedabad airport have been suspended until further notice.

Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash.