An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight carrying 242 people to London Gatwick tragically crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, India.
Flight AI171 lost control just seconds after departing around 10:08AM local time, when its transponder signal disappeared at an altitude of 625 feet, less than a minute after take-off, per BBC News.
Witnesses and shocking social media images showed a massive trail of smoke engulfing the crash site near the airport, with chunks of the plane’s fuselage and tail embedded in a demolished building.
Local emergency services and rescuers are rapidly responding, though the cause of the disaster remains unknown.
Air India confirmed the incident, stating: “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.”
The airline’s chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, added on X: “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.
“Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. An emergency centre has been activated and support team have been set up for families seeking information.”
According to the Associated Press via Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the flight carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
Per sky news, Air India gave an update regarding those on board: “Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off.
“The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals.
“The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information.
“Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.”
Gatwick Airport confirmed the flight, which had a scheduled landing time of 6:25PM local, had crashed on departure.
Gujarat’s Chief Minister reported that “immediate rescue and relief operations” are underway, with officials instructed 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.”
In light of the severity of the incident, all flights from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have been suspended until further notice.
The captain, who had 8,200 hours of flight experience, called a mayday shortly after takeoff, but there has been no contact since the plane crashed into a residential area.
