Air India Crash in Ahmedabad

By JAMIE BULLEN and ELENA SALVONI

Published: 05:23 EDT, 12 June 2025 | Updated: 06:19 EDT, 12 June 2025

Introduction to the Crash

An Air India flight bound for London Gatwick has crashed in Ahmedabad just minutes after take off with 242 people on board.

Horrific images show huge plumes of smoke and flames after Air India flight 171 plummeted to the ground in the densely populated Meghani area of the city moments after it departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1.17pm local time.

The crash has sparked a major rescue operation with multiple fire engines and ambulances racing to the scene. Air India has confirmed 53 British nationals were on board the plane.

Live updates below

Passenger Nationalities

Air India confirm 11 children were on board

Air India has released more information regarding the nationalities of passengers.

The airline said 169 passengers are Indian nationals, 53 are British, one is Canadian and seven are Portuguese.

The Reuters news agency reported that 217 adults and 11 children were on board the flight.

The flight was carrying a total of 242 people onboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Ahmedabad Airport Closure

Ahmedabad Airport closed after crash

A spokesperson for Ahmedabad Airport confirmed the plane crashed ‘shortly after takeoff, outside the airport.’

In a statement it added: ‘As a result, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, is currently not operational. All flight operations are temporarily suspended until further notice.

‘Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for the latest updates before proceeding to the airport.

‘We request your cooperation and patience as authorities manage this evolving situation. Further updates will be provided as soon as available.’

UK Government Response

UK government says it is working with local authorities and will support those impacted

Britain is working with Indian authorities to urgently establish the facts around the Air India plane crash and to provide support to those involved, the foreign office said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Commons Leader Lucy Powell said the UK Government will provide ‘all the support that it can’ to those on the flight.

Condolences from Air India Chairman

Air India chairman offers condolences to families affected in the tragedy

Air India’s Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran shared a heartfelt statement that read: ‘With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today.

‘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.’

Investigation and Response

Breaking:Air India confirm 53 British nationals on board

Fifty-three British nationals were on board an Air India flight bound for Gatwick airport which crashed after take-off in Ahmedabad, Air India said.

The flight manifest included 169 Indians, 53 Britons, one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals, according to officials.

The flight was due to land at London Gatwick at 18.25 tonight, the airport confirmed in a statement.

Incident Details

Watch: Horrifying moment Air India plane crashes and bursts into flames in Ahmedabad

Incident marks first crash of a Boeing 787 aircraft

Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8, crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar five minutes after taking off.

The 787 Dreamliner is a widebody, twin-engine plane. This is the first crash ever of a Boeing 787 aircraft, according to the Aviation Safety Network database.

The aircraft was introduced in 2009 and more than 1,000 have been delivered to dozens of airlines, according to the flightradar24 website.

Rescue Complications

Heavy fuel load has complicated rescue operation

Although officials are yet to release a statement on the crash.

Experts have suggested the amount of fuel used on an international route has worsened the fire following the crash impact, making it a more complicated rescue operation, the Times of India is reporting.

The flight crashed just minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad this afternoon.

Flight Details

Flight was carrying 230 passengers

The Times of India is reporting 242 people were on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane including 230 passengers, two pilots and 10 cabin crew members.

Multiple fire engines and ambulances have been dispatched to the crash scene in the Meghani area of Ahmedabad.

According to the newspaper, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will open a formal investigation along with a possible technical team from Boeing.