An Air India flight (Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner twin jet) en route to London's Gatwick, onboard with 230 passengers and 12 crew members, crashed moments after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon into the Meghani Nagar residential area. The plane turned into plumes of dark smoke, as visible in the early visuals circulated on social media.
Terrifying final moments of Air India Flight AI 171 crashing into a residential area in Ahmedabad today. Clearly catastrophic loss of lift. Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/TbgCjPLXXc
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) June 12, 2025
Immediate rescue and relief operations took charge. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself was taking strong consideration of the situation, holding a review meeting with the officials at the Ahmedabad Airport. He visited the site this morning at the Civil Hospital in the city. The PM took to X, sharing, "Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the plane crash site in Ahmedabad. He also met the injured victims at the Civil Hospital
The flight took off from Ahmedabad at 1338 hours with Pilot in command Sumit Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kunder. Out of the 242 passengers and crew members, there were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 1 Canadian national, and 7 Portuguese nationals.
In a statement issued, the DGCA said, "Air India, B787 Dreamliner Aircraft, AI 171, SECTOR Ahmedabad to London (Gatwick) Airport had crashed into a residential area (Meghani Nagar), took off at 1:38 pm crashed 5 minutes after take off. Pilot in command, Sumit Sabharwal, Co-Pilot Clive Kunder. There were 232 passengers, including 230 adults and 2 infants, on board, with 10 crew members. The airport emergency team is activated. Smoke is evident from a long distance. DAW, ADAW, and one FOI are already in Ahmedabad for some other task. They are getting details."
According to AP, the Air India flight crashed with its nose up and wasn't climbing. As of now, no intricate details regarding the crash are known. However, the Boeing 787 has extensive flight data monitoring. So, when the flight data recorder is checked, the exact cause will be known.
After the takeoff, the plane gave a mayday call to the Air Traffic Control (ATC). The Director General of Civil Aviation said in his statement, "After receiving the Mayday call, the ATC made several calls, which were not responded to. Immediately after departure, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter."
Theories are also emerging that until the pilot called for mayday, both engines had failed, and the plane took only 30 seconds to crash. Even the warnings of the Boeing 787 whistleblower were ignored, wherein he claimed about the plane's internal flaws.
Home Minister Amit Shah had also visited the site yesterday, after which he stated that about 125,000 litres of fuel had been burnt due to high temperature. This made rescue efforts impossible.
This is the first Boeing 787 crash. The last major passenger plane crash in India happened in 2020 in an Express Boeing 737.
The devastating state of the BJ Medical College of Ahmedabad after the plane crash
The plane has reportedly crashed on the BJ Medical College's mess for undergraduate students, with several casualties. Following this, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Ahmedabad, has declared an emergency. Currently, DNA matching is underway, after which the bodies of the deceased will be handed over to the families. This process might take three days, and the final casualties will be confirmed thereafter.
The Ahmedabad Airport had earlier closed its operations and services after the plane crash, which resumed later at 16:05 IST on Thursday. Flight safety protocols are being followed.
In a post shared on X, Air India said, "Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today, June 12, 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest on http://airindia.com and on our X handle."
PTI reported that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has stated to launch a probe into the plane crash.
The tragic accident has claimed nearly 265 lives, including the passengers and the victims on the site. Out of all those aboard the plane, there is only one lone survivor, who is a British National of Indian origin, currently being treated at the Civic Hospital. The man told the media that he heard a loud noise soon after the AI171 took off.
Tata Group has also issued a statement after the Boeing 787 crash. The Chairman, N Chandrasekaran, said, "With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India flight 171 operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event."
With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.
At this moment, our…
— Tata Group (@TataCompanies) June 12, 2025
Tata Group has also announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the families of every passenger killed in the plane crash, covering their medical expenses and ensuring all the necessary care and support.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also present on the flight, who passed away in the accident. The 68-year-old senior BJP leader was going to London to meet his family. His death was confirmed by Gujarat State BJP President CR Patil. He said, "Our leader, former Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani, was also on that flight. Vijay Rupani died in this tragedy. May God grant peace to his soul. This is a great loss for the BJP family as well."
Vijay Rupani served as the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021 for two terms. He was currently a member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, representing Rajkot West. He had worked as a stockbroker and was a partner in Rasiklal and Sons, a trading firm founded by his father.
Following the plane crash, many operational Air India flights have been impacted, either diverted or are returning. One of the Phuket-Delhi Air India flights made an emergency landing due to a suspicious bomb threat. The long list includes:
AI130: London Heathrow - Mumbai (Diverted to Vienna)
AI102: New York - Delhi (Diverted to Sharjah)
AI116: New York - Mumbai (Diverted to Jeddah)
AI2018: London Heathrow - Delhi (Diverted to Mumbai)
AI129: Mumbai - London Heathrow (Returning to Mumbai)
AI119: Mumbai - New York (Returning to Mumbai)
AI103: Delhi - Washington (Returning to Delhi)
AI106: New York - Delhi (Diverting to Vienna)
AI188: Vancouver - Delhi (Diverting to Jeddah)
AI101: Delhi - New York (Diverting to Frankfurt/ Milan)
AI126: Chicago - Delhi (Diverting to Jeddah)
AI132: London Heathrow - Bengaluru (Diverted to Sharjah)
AI2016: London Heathrow - Delhi (Diverted to Vienna)
AI104: Washington - Delhi (Diverted to Vienna)
AI190: Toronto - Delhi (Diverted to Frankfurt)
AI189: Delhi - Toronto (Returning to Delhi)
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