Air India plane crashes at Ahmedabad airport

On Thursday, June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The aircraft was en route to London Gatwick Airport and was carrying 242 individuals, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members.

Incident Details

The crash occurred near the Meghani Nagar area, just outside the airport's perimeter. Witnesses reported seeing the plane lose altitude before crashing into a building, resulting in a massive explosion and black smoke billowing into the sky.

Casualties and Emergency Response

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed that at least 133 fatalities have been reported. The remaining 109 individuals, including passengers and crew, are unaccounted for, with their status whether injured or deceased still under investigation.

Emergency services, including fire engines and ambulances, were promptly dispatched to the crash site. Additionally, three teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were mobilized from Gandhinagar and Vadodara to assist in rescue operations.

Passengers' Nationalities

Among the 230 passengers on board, there were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national.
Investigation and Official Statements

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India has initiated an investigation into the cause of the crash. Air India has set up a helpline number 1800 5691 444 for concerned families seeking information about their relatives. 

The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, described the incident as devastating and offered full assistance to the affected families.

Aircraft Details

The aircraft involved, registered VT-ANB, was an 11-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. This incident marks the first fatal hull loss involving a Boeing 787 since its introduction in 2011.