United States President Donald Trump has extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the 241 victims who lost their lives in a catastrophic Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad, describing the tragedy as “terrible” and “one of the worst in aviation history.”
The crash, which occurred on Thursday shortly after takeoff, involved an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick from Ahmedabad. The aircraft was carrying 242 people — 231 passengers and 11 crew members — when it went down, sparking a wave of grief and shock across the globe.
Trump Responds with Sympathy and Support
In a public statement issued on Friday, President Trump expressed sorrow over the fatal accident and pledged the United States’ full support to India during this trying time.
“The plane crash was terrible,” Trump said. “I have already told them [India] anything we can do, it is a big country, a strong country, they will handle it, I’m sure. But I let them know that anything we can do will be over there immediately.”
Trump also commented briefly on early speculation surrounding the cause of the crash, noting that the aircraft appeared to be flying normally before the disaster struck.
“It didn’t look like there was an explosion. Just looked like the engines maybe lost power,” he added.
U.S. Investigators to Assist India’s Crash Probe
Following standard international aviation protocols, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will dispatch a team of investigators to India to aid in determining the cause of the crash. The aircraft involved was manufactured by Boeing, a U.S.-based aerospace giant, giving the NTSB jurisdiction to participate under the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also confirmed that it will provide technical support to Indian authorities and cooperate fully with the investigation.
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the inquiry into the incident. Both the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) — commonly referred to as “black boxes” — have reportedly been recovered from the crash site and sent for analysis.
Mayday Call Issued Before Disappearance
According to officials at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, the aircraft departed at exactly 1:39 p.m. local time (0809 GMT). Moments after liftoff, the pilots issued a Mayday distress signal, alerting air traffic control to an emergency on board. Contact with the aircraft was lost shortly afterward, with radar tracking showing a sudden loss of altitude before the crash.
Eyewitnesses from nearby communities reported hearing a low-flying aircraft and a loud thud, followed by a plume of black smoke rising from a field outside the city.
Emergency response teams were deployed swiftly, but the impact of the crash was devastating. Firefighters, police, and medical personnel worked through the wreckage, recovering bodies and trying to locate any potential survivors. Sadly, only one survivor has been confirmed so far, a teenage girl who was reportedly seated near the tail section.
Global Community Mourns with India
The magnitude of the crash has triggered an outpouring of condolences from world leaders and global institutions. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres all issued statements of sympathy and solidarity with the Indian people.
In a statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the tragedy as “a dark day for the nation” and announced a national day of mourning. Flags will fly at half-mast across India, and special prayers are being held for the victims.
“We are deeply anguished by the loss of so many lives. Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased. The government is committed to uncovering the truth behind this tragic incident,” Modi said.
Aviation Industry Shaken by Tragedy
The crash has sent shockwaves through the global aviation community, especially given the safety record of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. This model, introduced for its advanced fuel efficiency and technology, has generally been considered reliable.
However, Thursday’s disaster marks the deadliest aviation incident in over a decade and has renewed scrutiny on aircraft maintenance, regulatory oversight, and pilot training, particularly in high-traffic emerging markets like India.
Boeing, in a brief statement, said it is “deeply saddened by the loss of life” and pledged to cooperate fully with the investigation. The company’s stock dipped slightly in early trading following news of the crash.
Political and Diplomatic Reactions
While President Trump offered support and condolences, his remarks about the aircraft’s condition prior to the crash raised eyebrows among aviation experts, who cautioned against premature speculation.
Nonetheless, his swift outreach to India was welcomed as a gesture of friendship during a national crisis. It also reaffirmed the longstanding cooperation between the two countries on transportation safety and disaster response.
Final Thoughts
As investigations continue into what caused this catastrophic event, families across India and beyond mourn the sudden loss of loved ones. The skies may be busy with aircraft, but tragedies like this remind the world of the fragility of life and the enduring need for rigorous aviation safety measures.
For now, the nation grieves — and waits — for answers.
