Air India Flight Crashes in Ahmedabad: 242 On Board, No Survivors Presumed

An Air India aircraft crashed on Thursday, June 12, 2025, shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport in western India. Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was en route to London-Gatwick with 242 people on board, including 12 crew members. According to local authorities, no survivors are believed to have been found.

The aircraft took off at 1:39 p.m. local time and issued a distress signal before crashing outside the airport perimeter, in a densely populated residential area. According to FlightRadar, the signal was lost at an altitude of just 190 meters, less than a minute after takeoff. Airport operations were immediately suspended.

Densely Populated Area Hit

The aircraft was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British passengers, 7 Portuguese and one Canadian, according to Air India. Verified images shared on social media show the plane approaching an urban district before crashing and exploding, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky, visible from several kilometers away. Witnesses on the ground described a “deafening noise,” followed by scenes of chaos. Videos show residents attempting to pull victims from the wreckage.

Emergency response teams were quickly mobilized. Indian Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said he was “shocked and devastated,” stating: “I am personally monitoring the situation. All emergency agencies have been instructed to act swiftly and in coordination.” Air India has set up a dedicated helpline for the families of passengers (1800 5691 444).

Shockwaves Reached London

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel ordered immediate rescue operations and the creation of a “green corridor” to transport injured victims to hospitals. However, Ahmedabad’s police chief indicated that there were “apparently no survivors.”

Air India’s CEO expressed “deep sorrow” in a message on X (formerly Twitter), calling the crash a “tragic accident.”

International reactions followed swiftly. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “shocked and saddened,” while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer extended his condolences to the victims’ families, referring to the “devastating images.”

U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing, which built the 787 Dreamliner involved in the crash, stated it was “aware of the initial reports” and has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.