Ahmedabad: Air India flight AI171 flying to London Gatwick airport from Sardar Vallabhai International Airport in Ahmedabad has crashed in the Meghani Nagar Area of Ahmedabad just 5 minutes after takeoff on Thursday, 12th June.
According to emerging reports, 242 people are reported to have died, including 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew including Gujarat’s ex-CM Vijay Rupani. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner reached an altitude of 675 feet after its signal was lost. The plane caught fire after crashing, and fire tenders rushed to the spot to douse the flames. The airport had temporarily suspended flights after the incident, and were later resumed.
Officials have cordoned off the area to allow uninterrupted access to emergency services. Passengers have already been transported to nearby hospitals as medical and fire rescue teams reach the crash location.
“Shocked and devastated to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action. Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families”, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said in a statement after the incident.
Air India has also posted about the incident on X:
Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest on https://t.co/Fnw0ywg2Zt and on our X handle (https://t.co/Id1XFe9SfL).
-Air India…
— Air India (@airindia) June 12, 2025
According to sources in the Civil Aviation Ministry and the DGCA, a team of experts are on their way to investigate the crash, even as the PM and Home Minister Amit Shah are being briefed about the situation.
Air India has set up a dedicated hotline number for more information. They have promised to post further updates as well.
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 plane crashed in the dining area of the state-run BJ Medical College hostel, according to reports by CNN News 18. 5 medical students have lost their lives in the tragedy. This is the first time a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner has crashed, according to the Aviation Safety Network database.
Further details are awaited.
