President Bola Tinubu has extended heartfelt condolences to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian government, and the citizens of the Republic of India following the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 on Thursday.
The ill-fated London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which was carrying a total of 242 people—including two pilots, 10 cabin crew, 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian—went down near Ahmedabad at approximately 1:00 pm. The disaster led to the closure of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport until further notice.
Prime Minister Modi, in a brief remark, described the event as one that has “stunned and saddened everyone,” as emergency teams rushed to the scene to recover victims and extinguish the flames from the wreckage.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed profound sorrow over the tragic loss of lives. The message, titled ‘President Tinubu Condoles With Narendra Modi, Victims Of Air India’, conveyed Nigeria’s solidarity with India and the grieving families affected by the incident.
“The tragedy of Air India reminds us, once again, of the fragility of life and the common bond of humanity that holds us together,” Tinubu said. “At this moment of sorrow and pain, Nigeria stands in solidarity with our friend, brother and partner, Narendra Modi, and the people of India.”
President Tinubu also extended his condolences to the governments and citizens of Great Britain, Portugal, and Canada for the loss of their nationals who were aboard the flight. He acknowledged the shared grief that binds nations in such moments of crisis.
He praised the Indian emergency response teams for their swift actions and affirmed his belief in their competence and compassion in handling the aftermath of the crash.
Concluding his statement, Tinubu prayed for divine comfort for the bereaved families and the peaceful repose of the souls lost in the disaster.
What you should know
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s current head of state, has consistently emphasized diplomacy and international solidarity as pillars of his administration’s foreign policy. His prompt condolence message to India following the Air India Flight AI171 crash reflects his commitment to standing with global partners during periods of crisis.
India and Nigeria have long-standing bilateral relations that span trade, education, defense, and cultural exchange, making the tragic event in Ahmedabad particularly impactful to Nigeria’s leadership.
The Air India crash represents one of the most devastating aviation tragedies in recent Indian history. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was a modern, long-haul plane known for its fuel efficiency and safety features. Its abrupt and fiery crash just after takeoff near a densely populated residential area in Ahmedabad not only claimed all lives on board but also caused casualties on the ground.
Tinubu’s message also touched on a universal theme: the shared vulnerability of human life and the need for nations to support one another in moments of profound grief. His remarks were not limited to India but also extended to other countries that lost citizens in the crash, including the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Canada.
The Nigerian President’s empathy, prayers, and diplomatic outreach in the wake of this tragedy have been received as a show of brotherhood and unity in mourning.
