An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon.
The aircraft, bound for London, plunged into the Meghani area of the city, sending up a massive plume of black smoke and triggering an immediate emergency response.
Also Read: Ahmedabad plane mishap: Flight with over 240 onboard crashes in Meghani area- what we know so far
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), there were 242 people on board the aircraft โ 230 passengers, 2 pilots, and 10 cabin crew members.
The aircraft was under the command of Capt Sumeet Sabharwal, with first officer Clive Kundar.
The flight was heavily fueled for the long-haul journey, adding to the intensity of the explosion and fire that followed the crash.
Multiple fire engines and ambulances have been sent to the crash site to carry out rescue operations.
There is currently no official confirmation on casualties.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to initiate a formal investigation, along with a possible technical team from Boeing.
Officials have yet to release a statement on the suspected cause of the crash. Experts suggest that the heavy fuel load for the international route could have worsened the post-crash fire, complicating rescue efforts.
A senior police officer said, โAs per preliminary information, a London-bound Air India flight has crashed at the doctors’ hostel. Within 2โ3 minutes, police and other agencies reached the spot. Almost 70โ80% of the area has been cleared. All agencies are working here.โ
The UK government also responded to the incident, stating: “We are aware of a plane crash in Ahmedabad. The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved. British nationals who require consular assistance or have concerns about friends or family should call 020 7008 5000.”
Meanwhile, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA), Ahmedabad, is currently not operational. All flight operations have been temporarily suspended until further notice, airport authorities said.
In response to the suspension of flight operations at Ahmedabad airport following the Air India crash, Indian Railways has announced plans to deploy Vande Bharat trains to help transport stranded passengers.
Officials said this step aims to ease passenger movement from Ahmedabad to major cities until normal air services resume.
Union home minister Amit Shah has spoken to Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel, state home minister Harsh Sanghavi, and the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner regarding the incident.
Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and directed officials to expedite rescue and relief operations at the crash site.
In a statement posted on X, Patel said he had instructed the administration to arrange immediate medical care for injured passengers and ensure a green corridor was set up to transport them swiftly to hospitals.
โI have instructed the officials to carry out immediate rescue and relief work and arrange for immediate treatment of the injured passengers on a war footing,โ he said.
Patel also confirmed that Amit Shah had spoken to him personally and assured the full cooperation of the central government in managing the aftermath of the crash.
He assured that the Central government will provide all necessary assistance to the state in managing the aftermath and investigation of the crash.
Air India, in its first official communication, said โFlight AI171, operating AhmedabadโLondon Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details.โ
The flight onboard 242, crashed immideitaely after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel international airport.
The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1:38pm, crashed into a doctors’ hostel building upon landing.
A thick plume of smoke rises above Ahmedabad after the plane crash, signalling immediate devastation and an unfolding emergency.
As the plane crashed it send a wave of panic in the surrounidng area. People were scarmbling to search and save their loved ones.
The building and the surrounding area where the crash took place have been broought down to ruins.
According to official sources, the manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national, and seven Portuguese nationals.
Emergency services, including fire engines, ambulances, and city police, reached the site quickly.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) confirmed that three teams (90 personnel) from Gandhinagar were immediately deployed, with three more teams moving in from Vadodara.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X to share his response: “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.”
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her condolences on X, saying, “I am deeply distressed to learn about the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. It is a heart-rending disaster. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected people. The nation stands with them in this hour of indescribable grief.”
โWith profound sorrow I confirm that Air India flight, AI 171 operating AhmedabadโLondon 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 primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted.
Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. An emergency centre has been activated and support teams have been set up for families seeking information.โ
Additionally, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad released a statement regarding airport operations: โJune 12, 2025, Flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London, Gatwick, earlier today, was involved in a crash shortly after takeoff, outside the airport.
Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for the latest updates before proceeding to the airport. We request your cooperation and patience as authorities manage this evolving situation.
Further updates will be provided as soon as available”, said SVPIA spokesperson.
Sources in the Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the Director General of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), along with an investigation team, has left for Ahmedabad to probe the cause of the crash.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, instructing both to visit Ahmedabad and ensure that all possible assistance is provided to those affected by the crash.
โHe has asked them to go to Ahmedabad and ensure all possible assistance is extended to those affected in the wake of the air mishap,โ said a government source.
Deeply saddened: Gautam Adani
Adani Group chairperson Gautam Adani expressed his condolences on social media.
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He posted on X: “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragedy of Air India Flight 171. Our hearts go out to the families who have suffered an unimaginable loss. We are working closely with all authorities and extending full support to the families on the ground.”
Nirman Dabhi, a resident of Ahmedabad, said he had been searching for information about his brother-in-law, Prashant Patel, who is around 50 years old.
โI wasnโt aware that he was travelling, but my cousin sister called me after hearing about the London-bound plane crash. He lives in Kathlal, and Iโve come here to find out more,โ Dabhi said while waiting at the airport.
A man who claims to have witnessed the crash described the terrifying moments following the incident.
“I have my office 200 metres from here. As soon as I stepped out of the office, I heard a very loud noise, and smoke filled the area suddenly. A commotion broke out here and then we saw that this accident had occurred. When I reached the spot, I saw debris scattered here, there was a fire and smoke was billowing here. Nothing was visible. We then came to know that the wings of the aircraft fell here and that an aircraft crashed. We don’t know about the casualties but there is a building here where doctors reside,” he said.
Another eyewitness, who was at the airport at the time of the incident, shared their account of the moment the crash unfolded, “as I was going to board an Indigo flight, I saw thick smoke coming out in the distance. Soon after boarding the aircraft, an announcement for a flight delay was made. Later, we got to know through the media that a flight had crashed.”
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) announced the activation of an Operational Control Room at the Ministry of Civil Aviation in New Delhi to coordinate the emergency response.
โIn light of the recent incident involving Air India Flight AI171, an Operational Control Room has been activated at @MoCA_GoI (New Delhi) to oversee and coordinate all necessary response measures,โ AAI said in a post on X.
The control rooms have been set up both in Delhi and Ahmedabad to assist with information and support:
โWe remain fully committed to ensuring a prompt and coordinated response, and extend our complete support to all those affected,โ AAI stated.
‘Will take some time before we can confirm the exact number of casualties’
Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, addressed the media following the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171.
โAir Indiaโs flight AI171 crashed this afternoon with a total of 242 people on board. Rescue operations are currently underway. We have held an emergency meeting. Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Union home minister Amit Shah are on their way to Ahmedabad. I am also heading to the crash site. It will take some time before we can confirm the exact number of casualties,โ said Mohol. (TimesofIndia)