London-bound Air India plane with 242 passengers on board crashes near Ahmedabad airport

A London-bound Air India plane carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed in a residential area here minutes after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon. Many people were feared killed.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft (AI171) could be seen from afar, losing altitude rapidly and crashing in a ball of fire that sent plumes of thick black smoke spiralling up in the air.

The aircraft carrying 232 passengers and 10 crew crashed in Meghaninagar area near the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport around 2 pm.

Meanwhile, Ahmedabad Police issued a list of 25 injured in plane crash in Ahmedabad.

Additional Chief Secretary of Gujarat Health Department says, "Ahmedabd Civil Hospital students' hostel, staff quarters and other residential areas are located in the area where the plane crashed. About 50 of those injured have been brought to Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad."

The pilot of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner issued a 'Mayday' distress call, denoting a full emergency, soon after takeoff, the Air Traffic Control at Ahmedabad said.

Former Gujarat chief minister and BJP leader Vijay Rupani was reported to be among the 230 passengers and 12 crew members on the doomed flight from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick airport.

The plane crashed into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College doctors in Ahmedabad’s Meghaninagar area shortly after take-off, according to eyewitnesses. The crash reportedly caused significant damage to buildings in the complex.

Aviation sources said the aircraft climbed just about 600-800 feet before it plummeted to the ground.

Eyewitness Haresh Shah told PTI that the aircraft was flying unusually low before crashing into the multi-storey residential blocks.

“There are several five-floor buildings which serve as residential quarters. Many people in those apartments were injured as the buildings also caught fire,” Shah said.

Another witness noted that the impact also led to several parked cars and vehicles catching fire.

While injuries have been reported by those present at the scene, there is no official confirmation yet regarding casualties among residents.

The residential complex is located close to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

Many of those injured were taken to the city civil hospital nearby.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, asking them to go to Ahmedabad and ensure all possible assistance to those affected in the tragedy, sources said.

Visuals from the area showed mangled metal of the wreckage, snarls of tangled wire and smoke rising from the charred remnants.

The ill-fated flight was under the command of Capt Sumeet Sabharwal along with First Officer Clive Kundar. While Sabharwal has 8,200 hours of flying experience, Kundar 1,100 hours, the DGCA said in a statement.

Immediately after departure from Runway 23, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter, it said.

There were 169 Indians, 53 British, one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals onboard the ill-fated Air India flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, which crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

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 flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members onboard the Boeing 787-8 aircraft, Air India said in a statement on social media platform 'X'.

"Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals," it said.

The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals, the airline said.

"We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information," it said.

Air India also said that it is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating the incident.

Meanwhile, Air India changed its profile picture on X to black after the plane crash.

In addition to the dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444, we have added another hotline number for foreign nationals +91 8062779200 : Air India

UPDATE: In addition to the dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444, we have added another hotline number for foreign nationals +91 8062779200.

Air India requests media persons not to call the dedicated passenger hotline number.

— Air India (@airindia) June 12, 2025

UK PM Keir Starmer also reacted on the horrific plane crash, saying "I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time", on X.

The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.

I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 12, 2025

Expressing his profound sorrow, Air India chairperson N Chandrasekaran said an emergency centre has been activated and support teams set up for families seeking information.

“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.

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

“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,” he said in a post on X.

Emergency responders reached the site promptly and have launched intensive rescue, evacuation, and firefighting operations.

Thursday’s tragedy is the second air disaster in Gujarat’s principal city.

On October 19, 1988, an Indian Airlines plane crashed in its final approach to the Ahmedabad airport, killing 130 people.

(WITH PTI INPUTS)