A London-bound Air India plane, carrying 242 people, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 1:38 PM local time. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating as Flight AI171, was en route to London Gatwick when tragedy struck.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the plane crashed immediately after departure from runway 23. The aircraft sent out a "Mayday" call to air traffic control but did not respond to further communications. The plane went down just outside the airport perimeter, plunging into the Meghani Nagar, a residential area near the airport, igniting a massive fire and sending plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky.
Videos circulating on social media captured the horrifying moment, showing the aircraft flying low, struggling to gain altitude, before slamming into the ground and exploding. The impact and subsequent fire triggered an immediate emergency response. Rescue workers are battling to extinguish the flames and search for survivors amidst the wreckage.
According to Air India, there were 230 passengers, 2 pilots, and 10 cabin crew members on board. Of the passengers, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 1 Canadian national, and 7 Portuguese nationals. Pilot in Command Sumit Sabharwal with co-Pilot Clive Kunder were in control of the flight. Initial reports suggest several casualties, and authorities are still working to determine the full extent of the damage and loss of life.
The crash has sent shockwaves across India and the international community. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her shock and condolences, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reportedly monitoring the situation closely. Air India has released a statement acknowledging the incident and stating that they are working to ascertain the details and provide support to those affected.
Flight services to and from Ahmedabad airport have been temporarily suspended. The DGCA has launched a full-scale investigation to determine the cause of the crash, including the possibility of technical malfunction, weather conditions, or human error.
