WARNING: This article contains details and images some readers may find distressing
An Air India passenger plane en route to the United Kingdom has crash-landed in Ahmedabad.
There were 242 people on board the flight, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew, which was traveling to London.
Police have since confirmed that there is only one survivor of the crash, which occurred shortly after the plane took off.
Highlights
- Air India flight AI171 with 242 on board crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, heading to London Gatwick.
- The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner sent a Mayday call but lost contact before crashing near the airport perimeter.
- Police have confirmed that there is only one survivor of the crash.
The plane sent a distress call shortly after takeoff
Image credits: X
News agency ANI reports that a British citizen is in hospital after surviving the crash, citing Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik.
Malik told the outlet that a passenger sitting in seat 11A had survived and “has been in the hospital and is under treatment.”
According to the flight manifest, the passenger in seat 11A was British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.
“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,” Malik told ANI on a phone call.
India Today reports that Ramesh managed to jump out of the plane as it crashed, as he was reportedly seated behind the emergency exit.
Footage shared online appears to show an injured Ramesh walking away from the site of the crash to receive medical treatment.
It has been confirmed that the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner sent a Mayday call but did not respond to further attempts at contact.
The aircraft then crashed into a doctors’ hostel outside the airport perimeter, with footage shared on social media showing large dark plumes of smoke in the area.
Other footage captured the exact moment the plane crashed and appears to show the aircraft descending toward buildings.
It continues to drop and then there is a massive explosion, with flames billowing into the sky.
WARNING: The following footage contains distressing images
Air India has confirmed that 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals were aboard the flight.
Rescue teams have been mobilized to the scene, with the plane crashing close to a civil hospital near the airport.
The hospital has declared an emergency, and all physicians’ holidays have been cancelled. Local media is reporting that 15 doctors have been injured in the crash on the ground.
More than 50 ambulances have reached the civil hospital near the airport, ABP News reported.
Unconfirmed reports also suggest that former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani is thought to be aboard the plane, after his boarding pass was verified by ABP News.
“Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025,” an Air India spokesperson said.
“At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest.”
Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran also released a statement sending his thoughts to all of those involved.
“With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India flight, AI 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today,” he said.
“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. Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information.”
An emergency center has been activated and a support team has been set up for families seeking information.
The plane crashed into a residential area near a civil hospital
Image credits: X
India’s Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he is “shocked and devastated” to learn of the crash.
“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 mobilized, 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.”
In a statement provided to local media, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed the crash and Mayday call.
“On 12th Jun, 2025, M/s Air India B787 Aircraft VT-ANB while operating flight AI-171 from (Ahmedabad to Gatwick) has crashed immediately after takeoff from Ahmedabad,” the statement read.
“There were 242 person[s] on board 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 a LTC with 8200 Hrs of experience.
“The copilot had 1100Hrs of flying experience. As per ATC, aircraft departed from Ahmadabad at 1339 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.”
According to flight-tracking website FlightRadar24, the aircraft lost signal just seconds after takeoff.
“We are following reports of a crash of Air India flight #AI171 from Ahmedabad to London,” they said in an X post.
“We received the last signal from the aircraft at 08:08:51 UTC, just seconds after take off. The aircraft involved is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration VT-ANB.”
The Chief Minister of Gujarat said on X that officials have been instructed to carry out “immediate rescue and relief operations” and to make arrangements on a “war footing.”
“I have also instructed officials to arrange a green corridor to transport the injured passengers for treatment and to ensure all necessary medical arrangements are made at the hospital on priority,” Bhupendra Patel said on X.
A statement from London Gatwick read: “We can confirm that flight AI171 that crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25.”
"The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X.
"It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected."
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was being kept updated.
"The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating," he wrote on X.
"I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time."