Tragedy in Ahmedabad: Air India flight with 242 people, including 169 Indians and 53 Britons, crashes after takeoff Por Luís Henrique Costa
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A devastating plane crash shook Ahmedabad, western India, on the afternoon of June 12, 2025, when Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed minutes after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft, carrying 242 people, including 169 Indian citizens, 53 Britons, 1 Canadian, and 7 Portuguese, collided with a residential area in the Meghani Nagar neighborhood, killing at least 100 people, including passengers, crew, and local residents. The catastrophic impact struck a doctors’ lodging, claiming the lives of five medical students. Footage shows thick black smoke and burning wreckage as rescue teams work tirelessly at the site.
The flight, operated by Air India, took off at 1:38 PM local time and issued a “mayday” distress signal seconds before losing contact with the control tower. The tragedy, the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, stunned authorities and citizens worldwide, with leaders like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer offering condolences. Local police reported no signs of survivors among the aircraft’s occupants, and rescue operations continue amid debris and intense fire.
Among the passengers was Vijay Rupani, former Chief Minister of Gujarat, as confirmed by officials from the Bharatiya Janata Party. The crash also caused significant damage on the ground, with reports of victims in a doctors’ lodging linked to BJ Medical College, where students were dining at the time of impact.
- Passenger nationalities: 169 Indians, 53 Britons, 1 Canadian, 7 Portuguese.
- Crash location: Meghani Nagar neighborhood, near the airport.
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registered as VT-ANB.
- Initial confirmed victims: Five medical students in the struck lodging.
Crash details and initial reports
Flight AI171 departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport en route to Gatwick Airport in London, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. According to Air India, the aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumit Sabharwal, with 8,200 flight hours, and First Officer Clive Kunder, with 1,100 hours. Flightradar24 data indicates the plane reached a maximum altitude of 625 feet (190 meters) before descending rapidly at a vertical speed of -475 feet per minute. Videos captured by residents show the aircraft flying low, struggling to gain altitude, before crashing into the ground and erupting into a fireball.
The fire’s intensity was worsened by the large amount of fuel on board for the long-haul flight. Witnesses in Meghani Nagar reported multiple explosions and a thick smoke cloud visible from miles away. A local resident, Darshna Vaghela, described the impact as a “deafening roar” while working in her nearby office.
Immediate response from authorities
Emergency teams, including firefighters, ambulances, and units from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were swiftly deployed. Six NDRF teams, totaling 90 personnel, began search and rescue operations, while over 70 fire trucks worked to contain the flames. Approximately 100 bodies were recovered from the site and sent to hospitals, though the exact death toll remains under verification due to the scene’s complexity.
Ahmedabad Airport temporarily suspended all flight operations but resumed at 4:05 PM local time with enhanced safety protocols. Indian Railways provided Vande Bharat trains to assist passengers affected by the airport’s brief closure.
Ground impact and additional victims
The plane crashed directly into a doctors’ lodging affiliated with BJ Medical College, where about 80 students were present. Five students, four undergraduates and one postgraduate resident, were confirmed dead. The college’s dean, Minakshi Parikh, reported that most students escaped, but around 10 to 12 were trapped in the debris and ensuing fire.
- Lodging damage: The impact destroyed part of the dining hall, with wreckage piercing walls.
- Ground victims: In addition to the five students, other residents were injured.
- Ongoing rescues: Teams continue searching for people trapped in the debris.
- Affected area: Nearby homes and offices also sustained damage.
The tragedy sparked immediate grief, with families gathering at local hospitals, such as Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital, seeking information. A woman, Ramila, recounted that her son, who was in the lodging, survived by jumping from a second-floor window but sustained injuries.
Reactions from world leaders
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound sorrow, calling the accident “heartbreaking, indescribable.” He confirmed ongoing coordination with ministers and officials to manage rescue and relief efforts. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu is personally overseeing the response, ensuring all emergency agencies are mobilized.
In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the crash footage as “devastating” and confirmed that the British government is supporting victims’ families. The UK Foreign Office activated crisis teams in London and New Delhi to assist affected British citizens. Buckingham Palace stated that King Charles III is being kept informed of developments.
Initial investigations and aircraft context
The crash marks the first fatal disaster involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, introduced in 2011. The aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, was 11 years old and had operated a flight from Delhi to Ahmedabad earlier that day. Boeing issued a statement acknowledging initial reports and working to gather more information. The investigation is led by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with support from a Boeing technical team.
While the cause remains undetermined, reports suggest the aircraft’s landing gear was not retracted, and flaps appeared to be in the retracted position, potentially indicating technical issues or human error. Weather conditions at the time were stable, with clear visibility, per meteorological reports.
Support efforts for families
Air India established an emergency center and a hotline (1800 5691 444) to provide information to passengers’ families. The company’s chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, expressed condolences and reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to supporting victims and their relatives. Support teams were dispatched to Ahmedabad and Gatwick Airport, where the flight was scheduled to arrive at 6:25 PM London time.
At Gatwick Airport, a waiting area was set up for families, offering water and assistance. The presence of 53 British citizens on board heightened the UK’s response, with authorities collaborating closely with the Indian government.
History of aviation accidents in India
While aviation accidents are rare in India, which has stringent safety standards following incidents in the 1970s and 1980s, the country has seen significant tragedies. In 2020, an Air India Express flight in Kozhikode, southern India, overshot the runway and crashed into a valley, killing 21 people. The Ahmedabad crash, however, is the deadliest since the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing, which killed 329 people.
Air India, privatized in 2022 by the Tata Group, has been working to enhance its safety record after operational incidents over the past 15 years. Its merger with Vistara, completed in 2024, aimed to strengthen its fleet and procedures.
Rescue operations and next steps
Rescue efforts continue at a relentless pace, with teams facing challenges from fire and extensive debris. About 70% to 80% of the crash site has been cleared, but people remain trapped in the wreckage, according to local police. Ambulances have transported dozens of injured individuals to hospitals, and police have diverted traffic to facilitate emergency access.
- Current priorities: Rescuing survivors, extinguishing fires, and identifying bodies.
- Investigation focus: Flight data, cockpit communications, and aircraft condition.
- Victim support: Emergency centers and psychological assistance for families.
The Ahmedabad tragedy is already considered one of India’s worst aviation disasters, with authorities pledging a thorough investigation to determine causes and prevent future incidents.
