Tragic Air India Crash: Tata Group Chairman Expresses Grief in Emotional Letter
In a heartfelt letter, Tata Group's Chairman N. Chandrasekaran mourns the tragic loss of 242 lives in the Air India flight AI-171 crash. He emphasizes the company's commitment to passenger safety and transparency during the ongoing investigation. The crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, has left the nation in shock. With teams from multiple countries now involved in the inquiry, the focus remains on uncovering the facts surrounding this devastating incident. Read on for more details about the crash and the response from Tata Group.
| Jun 14, 2025, 11:59 IST
A Heartfelt Message from Tata Group's Chairman
Tata Group's Chairman, N. Chandrasekaran, has penned an emotional letter to employees, marking June 12 as one of the darkest days in the company's history. This statement follows the devastating accident involving Air India flight AI-171, which was en route from Ahmedabad to London.
The tragic incident resulted in the loss of 242 lives. It is noteworthy that Tata Group acquired Air India in January 2022. In his letter, Chandrasekaran expressed disbelief over the event, stating that the collective grief of losing so many lives is unbearable. He described this day as a somber chapter in Tata Group's legacy.
He mentioned that investigative teams from India, the UK, and the USA have arrived in Ahmedabad within the last 24 hours to commence their inquiries into the crash. Chandrasekaran assured that Tata Group is fully cooperating with the investigation and will share any findings transparently.
Chandrasekaran emphasized that passenger safety has always been the top priority since Tata Group took over Air India. He stated that no compromises would be made in this regard, and until all facts are verified, no public assumptions will be made. Transparency will be maintained in sharing every detail.
It is reported that Air India flight AI-171 crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner collided with a hostel of a medical college, resulting in a massive explosion and fire. Tata Group operates Air India.
The flight was carrying 230 passengers, including 12 crew members. Among them were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese citizens. Only one individual survived the crash, bringing the total death toll to 265. The aircraft crashed in a residential area after colliding with the medical college hostel, where several resident doctors were present.