Ahmedabad: Many people were killed when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London’s Gatwick Airport crashed minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue.
The aircraft, operating as Flight 171, was carrying 242 people, including 217 adults, 11 children, and two infants. Air India confirmed that among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian.
Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off.
The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are…
— Air India (@airindia) June 12, 2025
The crash occurred shortly after the plane took off from runway 23 at 1:39 p.m. local time. Air traffic control reported receiving a distress “Mayday” signal from the aircraft before it disappeared from radar.
The plane came down in a crowded residential area near the airport, crashing into the doctors’ hostel building of B.J. Medical College. Local TV footage showed a massive fire and thick black smoke rising from the crash site. Eyewitnesses reported a loud explosion followed by chaos and screams.
The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2025
A senior police officer said 70 percent to 80 percent of the area had been cleared and that more bodies were being pulled from the rubble.
Rescue teams rushed injured passengers and hostel residents to nearby hospitals. Emergency crews were seen carrying victims on stretchers as fire brigades worked to control the flames.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the crash “heartbreaking beyond words” and directed the civil aviation ministry to provide full support for rescue operations. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles were also being briefed on developments.
Pained beyond words by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. Disaster response forces have been quickly rushed to the crash site. Spoke with the Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, Home Minister Shri Harsh Sanghavi, and Commissioner of Police Ahmedabad to assess the…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 12, 2025
Tata Group, which acquired Air India in 2022 and merged it with Vistara earlier this year, announced the activation of an emergency support centre for relatives. “We are deeply saddened by the tragedy of Air India Flight 171. Our hearts go out to the families,” Tata chairman N. Chandrasekaran said in a statement.
Ahmedabad Airport, operated by the Adani Group, has suspended all operations. Group chairman Gautam Adani posted that, “We are working closely with all authorities and extending full support to the families on the ground.”
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
Boeing, the plane’s manufacturer, said it was gathering information. The aircraft involved was delivered to Air India in 2014 and was the first Dreamliner to crash globally since the model’s commercial launch in 2011.
The crash marks India’s worst aviation accident since 2020, when an Air India Express flight skidded off the runway in Kozhikode, killing 21 people.
Authorities have launched an investigation as rescue and recovery efforts continue late into the night.
