Additional reporting by Avi Gopani
WARNING: This article contains details and images some readers may find distressing
An Air India passenger plane en route to the United Kingdom has crash-landed in Ahmedabad.
There were 242 people on board the flight, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew, which was traveling to London.
Local media are reporting that the crash occurred when the plane was taking off.
The plane was due to land at London Gatwick Airport on Thursday evening
Image credits: AdityaRajKaul/X
It has now been confirmed that the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner sent a Mayday call but did not respond to further attempts at contact.
The aircraft then crashed into the ground outside the airport perimeter, with footage shared on social media showing large dark plumes of smoke in the area.
Other footage has captured the exact moment the plane crashed and appears to show the aircraft descending towards buildings.
Image credits: AdityaRajKaul/X
It continues to drop and then there is a massive explosion, with flames billowing into the sky.
Officials have not yet commented on whether there are any reported casualties, but reports suggest people were taken to a nearby hospital.
Air India has confirmed that 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals were aboard the flight.
Image credits: AdityaRajKaul/X
Rescue teams have been mobilized to the scene, with the plane crashing close to a civil hospital near the airport.
The hospital has declared an emergency, and all physicians’ holidays have been cancelled. Local media is reporting that 15 doctors have been injured in the crash on the ground.
More than 50 ambulances have reached the civil hospital near the airport, ABP News reported.
Unconfirmed reports also suggest that former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani is thought to be aboard the plane, after his boarding pass was verified by ABP News.
Officials have not yet commented on the number of casualties
“Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025,” an Air India spokesperson said.
“At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest.”
Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran also released a statement sending his thoughts to all of those involved.
“With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India flight, AI 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today,” he said.
“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.
“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.”
An emergency center has been activated and a support team has been set up for families seeking information.
Image credits: nitin_gadkari
India’s Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he is “shocked and devastated” to learn of the crash.
“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 remain at the scene amid a large emergency response
“Rescue teams have been mobilized, 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.”
In a statement provided to local media, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed the crash and Mayday call.
Image credits: AdityaRajKaul/X
“On 12th Jun, 2025, M/s Air India B787 Aircraft VT-ANB while operating flight AI-171 from (Ahmedabad to Gatwick) has crashed immediately after takeoff from Ahmedabad,” the statement read.
“There were 242 person[s] on board the aircraft consisting of 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew. The aircraft was under the command of Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer Clive Kundar. Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal is a LTC with 8200 Hrs of experience.
“The copilot had 1100Hrs of flying experience. As per ATC, aircraft departed from Ahmadabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23.
Image credits: AdityaRajKaul/X
“It gave a MAYDAY Call to ATC, but thereafter no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC. Aircraft Immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on ground outside the airport perimeter.
“Heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site.”
According to flight-tracking website FlightRadar24, the aircraft lost signal just seconds after takeoff.
The Boeing made a Mayday call shortly after take-off
Image credits: flightradar24
“We are following reports of a crash of Air India flight #AI171 from Ahmedabad to London,” they said in an X post.
“We received the last signal from the aircraft at 08:08:51 UTC, just seconds after take off. The aircraft involved is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration VT-ANB.”
The Chief Minister of Gujarat said on X that officials have been instructed to carry out “immediate rescue and relief operations” and to make arrangements on a “war footing.”
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“I have also instructed officials to arrange a green corridor to transport the injured passengers for treatment and to ensure all necessary medical arrangements are made at the hospital on priority,” Bhupendra Patel said on X.
A statement from London Gatwick read: “We can confirm that flight AI171 that crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25.”
Against all odds, the British passenger in seat 11A was seen walking away from the crash site
Image credits: Hindustan Times
Of the 244 people on board the doomed Gatwick-bound flight that crashed in Gujarat there has been one confirmed survivor.
Forty-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, told his harrowing tale from a hospital hours after he was found hobbling away from the crash with injuries to his chest, eyes and feet.
Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly, he told the press.
Image credits: Hindustan Times
“When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran.”
“There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.”
Ramesh lives in London with his wife and child. It is not yet clear if he was travelling alone.
Social media users have expressed their shock and sent thought to those involved
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