Among the 242 passengers, the Boeing 787-8 aircraft was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals.
Published Jun 12, 2025 | 2:43 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 12, 2025 | 3:42 PM
Ahmedabad plane crash. (Supplied)
Synopsis: An Air India flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after takeoff, carrying 242 people, including 169 Indians. The DGCA confirmed the aircraft gave a Mayday call before losing contact. Rescue teams, including NDRF units, were swiftly deployed. Civil and state authorities are overseeing relief efforts. Casualties remain unconfirmed. Leaders, including PM Modi, expressed shock and support.
An Air India passenger plane AI171 carrying 242 passengers travelling from Ahmedabad to London has crashed in Meghaninagar near Ahmedabad airport soon after it departed Ahmedabad at 1:38 PM.
Among the 242 passenger, the Boeing 787-8 aircraft was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals.
Air India in the statement confirming the accident added, “The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information. Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.”
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
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in it’s statement added that while operating, flight AI-171 has crashed immediately after takeoff from Ahmedabad.
It further read: “There were 242 people on board the aircraft, consisting of two 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 1100 Hrs of flying experience.”
“As per ATC, aircraft departed from Ahmadabad at 1:39 PM IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. 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,” the statement further explained.
The number of causalities is not yet known. Videos and pictures from the area show thick clouds of smoke in the area, suggesting the intensity of the crash.
According to a India Today report, emergency services have rushed to the spot following the crash, including seven fire engines.
News agency ANI further reported that three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, comprising 90 personnel, have been moved from Gandhinagar to the plane crash site. A total of three more teams are being moved from Vadodara.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu in a statement expressed shock, “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.”
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…
— Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) June 12, 2025
The minister, who was attending the TDP led NDA government’s first anniversary in Vijayawada, has rushed to Ahmedabad following the crash.
The statement read: “Treating the incident with utmost urgency, the Minister cut short his engagements and is now en route to personally oversee the situation on the ground. He is in constant contact with senior officials from DGCA, AAI, NDRF, and the Gujarat State administration to ensure swift, coordinated response and support. Rescue and medical teams are on site. Passenger safety and emergency response remain the highest priorities.”
Further Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with the civil aviation minister, and directed him to ensure all necessary support is extended immediately and asked to be kept regularly updated on the situation.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in a statement on X said, “I am deeply saddened by the accident of the Air India passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad. I have instructed the officials to take immediate rescue and relief operations in the accident and to make arrangements for immediate treatment of the injured passengers on a war footing.”
“I have also instructed to arrange a green corridor to take the injured passengers for treatment and to ensure all the treatment arrangements in the hospital on priority. The Honorable Union Home Minister Shri Amitbhai Shah has also spoken to me and assured full support of the NDRF teams and the Central Government for the rescue and relief operations in this plane crash,” he further added.
અમદાવાદમાં એર ઈન્ડિયાનું પેસેન્જર વિમાન તુટી પડવાની દુર્ઘટનાથી વ્યથિત છું. દુર્ઘટનામાં તત્કાલ બચાવ અને રાહત કામગીરીની તેમજ ઈજાગ્રસ્ત મુસાફરોને તાત્કાલિક સારવાર માટેની વ્યવસ્થા યુદ્ધના ધોરણે હાથ ધરવાની સૂચના અધિકારીઓને આપી છે.
ઈજાગ્રસ્ત મુસાફરોને સારવાર માટે પહોંચાડવા ગ્રીન…
— Bhupendra Patel (@Bhupendrapbjp) June 12, 2025
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also expressed his condolences: “Extremely shocked and saddened by the news of the flight crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.”
Extremely shocked and saddened by the news of the flight crash in Ahmedabad.
My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families. 🙏
— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) June 12, 2025
Indigo also posted on X: “We are deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident at Ahmedabad airport. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, and their families. We stand united in spirit with Air India in this very difficult time.”
We are deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident at Ahmedabad airport. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, and their families. We stand united in spirit with Air India in this very difficult time.
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) June 12, 2025