Ahmedabad, India – 12 June 2025 – A catastrophic plane crash involving Air India Flight AI171 has left the city of Ahmedabad reeling, as the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, plummeted into a residential area shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The flight, bound for London Gatwick, crashed in the Meghani Nagar area, sparking a massive fire and leaving a trail of devastation. Authorities have confirmed multiple fatalities, with India’s Health Minister stating that “many people” have died, though exact numbers remain unconfirmed as rescue operations continue.
The aircraft, identified as VT-ANB, issued a mayday call moments after departing at 13:38 local time, but air traffic control received no further response. Flightradar24 reported the last signal from the plane at an altitude of 625 feet, mere seconds after take-off, indicating a rapid and catastrophic failure. The plane crashed into a doctors’ hostel near the airport, exacerbating the tragedy as the impact caused significant damage to the residential structure. Thick black smoke and flames were visible for miles, with videos circulating on social media capturing the harrowing scene.
Air India confirmed that the flight carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals, along with 12 crew members. Among the passengers was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, though his status remains unclear. The airline has established an emergency centre and support teams to assist families seeking information, with injured passengers being rushed to nearby hospitals.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed profound sorrow and directed officials to prioritise rescue and relief efforts. “I have instructed the administration to arrange immediate medical care for injured passengers and ensure a green corridor for swift hospital transfers,” Patel posted on X. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured full central government support, coordinating with state authorities to manage the crisis. Three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, comprising 90 personnel, have been deployed from Gandhinagar, with additional teams en route from Vadodara.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the scenes as “devastating,” noting that many British nationals were on board. “I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time,” he said. The UK Foreign Office is working with local authorities to provide support. Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles is being kept informed of developments.
Portuguese and Canadian authorities have yet to issue official statements, but diplomatic channels are reportedly active to ascertain the status of their nationals. The international community has expressed solidarity, with condolences pouring in from global leaders and aviation organisations.
This marks the first crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model celebrated for its safety record, having carried over one billion passengers since its introduction 14 years ago. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has previously investigated issues with the 787, including engine problems and a mid-air dive on a LATAM flight in 2024, but no definitive cause for this incident has been identified. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) noted that the pilot’s unanswered mayday call suggests a sudden and severe issue.
Aviation safety expert Marco Chan told the BBC that weather conditions were stable at the time of the crash, with light surface winds and visibility of six kilometres, ruling out adverse weather as a factor. The focus is now on recovering the aircraft’s black box, which includes the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, to determine the cause. The DGCA and international investigators, including Boeing representatives, are expected to join the probe.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has suspended all flight operations until further notice, causing significant disruptions to regional air travel. The crash site, located in a densely populated area, has been cordoned off, with police, firefighters, and civic workers clearing debris and battling the blaze. Local residents described a scene of chaos, with ambulances flooding the area and families gathering at hospitals for news of loved ones. One woman, Bhawna Patel, arrived at Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital in tears, saying, “My sister was going to London. She had her flight around 1:10 pm, but the flight crashed.”
The tragedy has drawn comparisons to the 2020 Air India Express crash in Calicut, where a Boeing 737 skidded off the runway in bad weather, killing 21 people. However, the scale and urban impact of this incident, coupled with the Dreamliner’s previously unblemished record, have amplified calls for a thorough investigation.
On X, the crash has sparked an outpouring of grief, with Indian celebrities like Sunny Deol, Parineeti Chopra, and Riteish Deshmukh expressing condolences. “Can’t imagine the pain of the family members,” Deol wrote. Posts on X also reflect public frustration, with some questioning the safety of long-haul flights and others praising the swift response of emergency services.
Air India issued a statement expressing its commitment to supporting affected families and cooperating with authorities. “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event,” the airline said. The carrier has promised regular updates via its website and X handle.
As rescue operations continue, the priority remains saving lives and supporting survivors. The crash’s cause, whether mechanical failure, human error, or an external factor, will likely take weeks to determine. For now, Ahmedabad mourns, and the world watches as one of India’s worst aviation disasters unfolds.
For further information, families can contact Air India’s emergency helpline or visit airindia.com. The investigation’s findings will be critical to ensuring such a tragedy is not repeated.
