An Air India passenger aircraft carrying more than 240 people crashed on Thursday shortly after departing from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in India.
Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick, went down in the Meghani Nagar residential area just five minutes after takeoff at 1:38 p.m. local time, according to Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). A total of 242 passengers and crew were onboard at the time of the crash.
Firefighters work at the site of an airplane that crashed in India’s northwestern city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state, on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (AP/Ajit Solanki)
“With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating on the Ahmedabad–London Gatwick route was involved in a tragic accident today,” said Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran in a statement on X (formerly Twitter). “Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those affected by this devastating incident.”
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…— Tata Group (@TataCompanies) June 12, 2025
Local news footage showed thick smoke rising from the crash site, located near the airport in northwestern India. Chandrasekaran added, “Our immediate priority is supporting the affected individuals and their families. We are working closely with emergency services at the scene and will continue to provide every possible assistance.”
Air India confirmed the nationalities of those onboard: 169 from India, 53 from the United Kingdom, 7 from Portugal, and 1 from Canada. Injured passengers are being transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
London’s Gatwick Airport also addressed the incident, stating on X: “We can confirm that flight AI171, which crashed after departing from Ahmedabad Airport today, was scheduled to arrive at London Gatwick at 18:25.”
We can confirm that flight AI171 that crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25.
More information to follow. pic.twitter.com/nWcXcAF81a
— London Gatwick LGW (@Gatwick_Airport) June 12, 2025
India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, posted on X that emergency teams had been dispatched and relief efforts were underway. “We are on the highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation to ensure medical assistance and all necessary support are promptly delivered,” he said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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