CHENNAI: A London-bound Air India plane carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed into a medical college complex here and burst into a ball of fire on Thursday moments after takeoff, possibly killing almost everyone on board in one of the country's worst air disasters.
According to Air India, of the 230 passengers, 169 were Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese and one Canadian. The other 12 were two pilots and 10 crew members.
"We regret to inform that of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities," the airline said in a statement issued late Thursday. It said the sole survivor is a British national of Indian origin and is being treated in a hospital.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the dead.
The twin-engine wide-bodied aircraft crashed in the city civil hospital and BJ Medical College outside the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport perimeter, in Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad, around 2 pm
Meanwhile, efforts are on recover the black box of the flight as its analysis will provide vital clues about what triggered the disaster, said police and Fire Brigade officials on Friday.
"Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest on http://airindia.com and on our X handle," Air India posted on X.
The aircraft involved in the Air India crash is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration number VT-ANB and serial number 36279.
There were 232 passengers and 10 crew on board Air India plane that crashed in residential area near Ahmedabad airport: DGCA
Rescue teams have been mobilised, all efforts being made to ensure medical aid and relief: Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu.
First flight of the aircraft was 14 December 2013, and it was delivered to Air India in January 2014.
Operations at Ahmedabad airport temporarily suspended after plane crash: Airport spokesperson.
Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran says doing everything in power to assist emergency response teams.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes stock of Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad; speaks to Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu: Official
PM Modi directs Naidu to ensure all necessary support is extended immediately: Official on Ahmedabad plane crash.
The signal from the aircraft was lost at 01:38 PM IST at 625 feet, less than a minute after take off.
Helpline number
Air India plane crash passenger hotline number 1800 5691444
"There were 242 persons onboard 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 an LTC with 8,200 Hrs of experience. The copilot had 1100 Hrs of flying experience," a press note said.
"As per ATC, aircraft departed from Ahmadabad 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 press note added.
CM Stalin, taking to X said, "Deeply shocked by the horrifying crash of Air India Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad with 242 people on board. My thoughts are with everyone affected and the families of those on board. Hoping every possible effort is underway for rescue and relief."
Plan crash in Ahmedabad…! pic.twitter.com/pkP6pLW0vb
— DIVYESH HIRPARA (@hirparadivyesh) June 12, 2025
The flight had 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, 1 Canadian national, 2 pilots, and 10 cabin crew onboard.
50 bodies recovered so far after Air India flight AI 171 with 242 passengers crashed in Ahmedabad: say reports
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is en route to Ahmedabad following the Air India plane crash.
In light of the AI171 crash, an Operational Control Room has been activated at the Ministry of Civil Aviation to coordinate all details.
Contact: 011-24610843 | 9650391859
The Director General of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with the team leaving for Ahmedabad for investigation: Ministry of Civil Aviation
Air India plane crash: "My sister was going to London. She had her flight around 1.10 pm, but the flight crashed," says Bhawna Patel as she arrived at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
#WATCH | Air India plane crash: "My sister was going to London. She had her flight around 1.10 pm, but the flight crashed," says Bhawna Patel as she arrived at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat pic.twitter.com/aDkixvDB9d
— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2025
The flight's landing gear crashes onto the roof of BJ Medical College UG hostel mess
The State Government of Gujarat has set up a control room at the State Emergency Operation Centre in connection with the Ahmedabad plane crash.
The concerned can contact the control room on Phone No.079-232-51900 and Mobile No.9978405304.
CISF conducts rescue operations at the AI 171 crash site, Ahmedabad
Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, tweets, "The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating. I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time."
We are aware of a plane crash in Ahmedabad. The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved. British nationals who require consular assistance or have concerns about friends or family should call 020 7008 5000: UK Government
Our thoughts are with all those affected: UK High Commission on London-bound Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad airport.
We are working with local authorities to urgently establish facts and provide support: British High Commission on Air India plane crash.
I am being kept updated as the situation develops: British PM Starmer on Air India plane crash.
The plane crashed directly on the BJ Medical College UG hostel mess in Meghani Nagar.
Many students of BJ Medical College feared dead, say reports
A help desk and assistance area is being set up outside the now temporarily closed Ahmedabad airport for the relatives of passengers of the ill-fated London-bound Air India flight, which crashed soon after take off.
Here are the names, details of passengers travelling on the ill-fated AI flight
Ahmedabad City Police issues emergency number 07925620359 for police emergency services and information regarding the Ahmedabad plane crash.
Ahmedabad plane crash: Here is a list of helpline numbers for affected passengers & families #DTNext #Ahmedabad #Gujarat #PlaneCrash #AirIndia #FlightCrash #London #VijayRupani #Helplines pic.twitter.com/ST81jQ0VhN
— DT Next (@dt_next) June 12, 2025
PM Modi says he is in touch with ministers, authorities who are working to assist those affected in the plane crash.
The plane was flying very low and it crashed into the residential quarters of doctors of the government-run college, an eyewitness, Haresh Shah, told PTI
Google Earth imagery shows the exact location from where the aircraft took off and the crash site in Meghaninagar in Ahmedabad.
PTI INFOGRAPHICS | Ahmedabad Plane Crash: An Air India flight carrying 242 passengers and crew members, bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon. The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner went down around 2 PM in the Meghaninagar… pic.twitter.com/J7utBmV7HY
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 12, 2025
The National Burns Center, a specialized center for the treatment of burn-related injuries in Navi Mumbai, has kept 20 beds ready in view of the crash of an Air India plane in Ahmedabad, a official said.
"Considering the seriousness of the Ahmedabad-London flight crash incident, we have kept 20 beds ready on our own," said Dr Sunil Keswani, medical director and secretary of the Indian Burns Research Society.
"We have yet to receive any request about keeping beds ready," he said, adding the center can prepare another 20 beds within an hour's notice.
Ahmedabad Civil Hospital has a 50-bed burns ward, he said.
Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will probe the Air India plane crash at the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, according to an official.
Three Ahmedabad-bound flights from here were cancelled on Thursday following a plane crash in the Gujarat city, officials at the city airport said.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani lost his life in the Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad. He was among the passengers on the London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport
"We are in contact with Air India regarding flight 171 and stand ready to support them (Air India)," Boeing said in a statement.
DNA tests will be carried out to ascertain the identities of those who perished in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad city on Thursday afternoon, a senior Gujarat health department official said even as he refused to cite death toll figures. - PTI
Speaking to ANI on a phone call, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik says, "The police found one survivor in seat 11A. One survivor has been found in the hospital and is under treatment. Cannot say anything about the number of deaths yet. The death toll may increase as the flight crashed in a residential area."
Relatives pray at the residence of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in Rajkot, Thursday, June 12, 2025. Rupani was among the passengers onboard the Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad. (PTI Photo)
Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu takes stck of the situation at the Air India plane crash site.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives at the site of Ahmedabad plane crash.
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, MoS Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol and Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi are also with him.
Tata Group to give Rs 1 crore to families of each person who died in AI plane crash.
"No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and with those who have been injured," Tata Group and Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran said.
BJP MP Sambit Patra tweets, "The news of the tragic demise of former Chief Minister of Gujarat and senior member of the BJP family, Vijay Rupani ji, in the unfortunate plane crash in Ahmedabad is extremely painful and heart-wrenching. His departure is an irreparable loss not only for Gujarat but for the entire Indian politics."
Chief Minister of Puducherry N Rangasamy expressed deep shock and sorrow over the Air India plane crash. In a message the Chief Minister said, "I am really shocked and taken aback on seeing the tragedy, I also pray for speedy recovery of those injured."
The Indian Embassy in Portugal has issued a helpline number +351 911 991 939 to assist affected families.
'Air India is organizing two relief flights, one each from Delhi and Mumbai, to Ahmedabad for the next of kin of passengers and Air India staff. Next of kin of passengers and staff in Delhi and Mumbai wanting to travel on these flights can call our hotline on 1800 5691 444. Additionally, those coming in from international destinations and wanting to travel can call our hotline on +91 8062779200, tweets Air India.
"Deeply shocked to hear the news that an Air India flight from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, bound for London with 242 passengers and crew members, crashed and broke apart near a residential area close to the airport at around 1:17 PM due to a technical malfunction. I pray to the Almighty for the swift and complete recovery of all those who have been injured in the accident." Edappadi K Palaniswami said in a statement.
Air India said it will operate two relief flights, one each from Delhi and Mumbai, to Ahmedabad for the next of kin of passengers and Air India staff.
Failure of both engines or a bird hit soon after take-off could be among the probable causes that led to the fatal crash of a London-bound Air India aircraft with 242 people onboard, according to experts.
US experts said the plane involved in the crash at Ahmedabad did not seem “properly configured” and that the crash appeared “surprising” at first glance.
Hours before an Air India Dreamliner crashed near Ahmedabad airport, a passenger who had flown the same aircraft from Delhi to Ahmedabad took to X to complain not about turbulence or engine trouble, but about a broken entertainment screen.
“I was in the same damn flight 2 hours before it took off from AMD," tweeted Akash Vatsa, who frequently raises grievances on X.
Family members of former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, who lost his life in the AI-171 plane crash, reach Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Asarwa
#WATCH | Air India Plane Crash | Ahmedabad: Family members of former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, who lost his life in the AI-171 plane crash, reach Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Asarwa pic.twitter.com/kMgsgse7Xn
— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2025
A special team of caregivers from Air India arrived in Ahmedabad to provide support to the teams operating on the ground, the airline said.
"We are working with local authorities to provide necessary assistance and are extending full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident," Air India said in a post on X.
President Droupadi Murmu tweets, "The loss of lives after the plane crash at Ahmedabad is utterly devastating. My heart goes out to the bereaved families. The country has also lost the former Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani in the tragedy. Rupani Ji was always committed to people’s welfare. I express my heartfelt condolences to his family and admirers."
Four MBBS students, doctor's wife among deadFour MBBS students and a doctor's wife were among those killed after the London-bound Air India plane crashed into residential quarters of the BJ Medical college here on Thursday afternoon, a senior official said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad.
Prime Minister Modi arrived at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport here and drove straight to the crash site in the Meghaninagar area, officials said.
He was accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
PM spent around 20 minutes inspecting the site, where the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft (AI171) crashed into a complex of B J Medical College in the Meghaninagar area shortly after taking off on Thursday afternoon.
Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi informed the prime minister about how the plane crashed into the college hostel and mess.
PM Modi later visited the city civil hospital, where he spoke to Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of the tragedy and met the injured victims.
He visited the C7 ward of the hospital, where 25 injured people are undergoing treatment, and also interacted with the doctors.
The prime minister spent around 10 minutes at the hospital.
Expressed profound condolences, offered fullest support in this hour of grief: S Jaishankar to foreign counterparts on Ahmedabad air crash.
A day after the deadly plane crash in Ahmedabad, the bodies of six victims were handed over to their families after identification on Friday.
Efforts are on recover the black box of the Air India flight AI 171 which crashed in Ahmedabad as its analysis will provide vital clues about what triggered the disaster, said police and Fire Brigade officials on Friday.
Internet giant Google mourned the loss of lives in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad with an image of a black ribbon pinned prominently on the homepage of its search engine.
"In memory of the victims of the tragic plane crash," reads a message when the mouse is hovered over the image of the ribbon.
Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of Air India's AI 171 crash, said he still cannot believe how he miraculously survived the accident of the ill-fated London-bound flight in which 265 people lost their lives.
In an interview with DD News, Ramesh, a resident of Leicester, said, "It all happened in front of my eyes. I cannot believe how I survived. "For a brief moment, I felt I was about to die but when my eyes opened, I was alive. I unbuckled myself from the seat and exited from an opening."
A sister and a cousin of Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma, who was among the 12 cabin crew members onboard the Air India flight that crashed a day ago, left for Ahmedabad for DNA testing, family members said on Friday.
"A doctor from Gujarat called us and said Nganthoi's name was not on the list of injured persons. He asked us to reach Ahmedabad for DNA tests to identify her body," cousin N Khenjita told PTI.
The Trinamool Congress on Friday demanded a “thorough and unbiased” investigation to “uncover the truth”.
In a post on X, the party’s spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said attempts shouldn’t be made to establish theories like “bird hit” even before a proper investigation is completed.
Aviation watchdog DGCA ordered enhanced safety inspection of Air India's Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, a day after 241 people onboard died in the plane crash in Ahmedabad.
Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor said he managed to come out alive because the part of the plane where he was seated was close to the ground unlike other passengers and crew.
"I believe that others could not escape because there was a wall on that side (of the hostel) while there was a small gap where I was sitting. I still can't believe how I survived the crash because I saw people dying in front of my eyes," he said.
Tata Group will not retreat from its responsibilities, from doing what is right even though it is a "difficult" time, Chairman N Chandrasekaran said while emphasizing that the group, which owns Air India, will be transparent in its communication on the plane crash.
"We owe it to the families and loved ones, to our pilots and crew, and to you. Tata Group takes its responsibility to society seriously, and that includes being open about what occurred yesterday," he said.
Investigators recovered a Black box of the London-bound Air India plane from the rooftop of a medical college hostel here a day after it crashed and rammed into the building, as they scoured through the debris for clues to the cause of the worst air tragedy in the country in three decades.
"The DFDR (Black box) has been recovered from the rooftop," an AAIB statement said, without giving details.
Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu said the DFDR has been recovered within 28 hours from the accident site by the AAIB.
Former Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said the Tata Group needs to fine-tune key aspects of Air India’s operations, including maintenance, in the wake of the crash of its Dreamliner aircraft in Ahmedabad.
“After three-and-a-half years of the takeover of Air India by the Tatas, the management needs to fine-tune various aspects of running a world-class airline, including maintenance,” Patel told reporters.
#WATCH | #AirIndiaPlaneCrash | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | Dr Prateek Joshi, a radiologist working in London, his wife, Dr Komi Joshi, a pathologist working in Rajasthan, and their three children, a 9-year-old girl and 4-year-old twin boys, were among 241 passengers who lost their lives… pic.twitter.com/g849fX2jqn
— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2025
