An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025, near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including two pilots and ten cabin crew, issued a mayday call at approximately 1:39 PM IST (8:09 UTC) before losing contact with air traffic control. The plane went down in the densely populated Meghaninagar area, outside the airport perimeter, triggering a massive emergency response.
Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft struggling to gain altitude before it plummeted, creating a loud explosion and a plume of thick black smoke visible from several kilometers away. The plane, fully fueled for its transcontinental flight, caused a significant fire upon impact, with flames engulfing parts of the wreckage and nearby structures. Local residents described a chaotic scene, with debris scattered across the crash site and emergency vehicles struggling to navigate through congested roads to reach the area.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash, which remains unclear at this time. Preliminary reports suggest no immediate indications of mechanical failure or external interference, but authorities are awaiting data from the flight’s black box, which includes the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. Air India has confirmed that the aircraft was a modern Boeing 787-8, delivered in 2018, and was subject to regular maintenance checks.
Emergency services, including seven fire engines, over two dozen ambulances, and teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were deployed to the scene within minutes. Some injured passengers have been transported to nearby hospitals, including Civil Hospital Ahmedabad and Apollo Hospital, with medical teams on high alert to handle a potential influx of casualties. The exact number of fatalities and injuries remains unconfirmed, though authorities have warned that the death toll could be significant given the severity of the crash.
Among the passengers was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose presence on board has drawn significant attention. His condition is currently unknown, and officials have not released further details about specific individuals involved. Air India has established an emergency response center at the airport to assist families of those on board, providing updates and support services as information becomes available.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and assured full support to those affected, stating that the central government is closely monitoring the situation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu are coordinating rescue and relief efforts, with Naidu traveling to Ahmedabad to oversee operations on the ground. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has also directed local authorities to prioritize rescue operations and provide immediate medical care.
The crash has disrupted operations at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, with all flights suspended until further notice. Roads surrounding the crash site in Meghaninagar have been cordoned off, and police are managing crowds and traffic to facilitate emergency access. Nearby residents have been evacuated from areas closest to the wreckage due to concerns about secondary fires and potential hazards from leaking fuel.
Air India has issued a statement expressing deep regret for the incident and pledging full cooperation with the investigation. The airline is working with the DGCA, the Airports Authority of India, and international aviation bodies, including Boeing, to understand the circumstances leading to the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States has also offered technical assistance, given the involvement of a Boeing aircraft.
The crash site remains active, with ongoing efforts to extinguish fires and search for survivors. Forensic teams are preparing to identify victims, a process that could take days due to the extent of the damage. The Indian Air Force has deployed helicopters to assist with aerial assessments and transport of critical supplies to the site.
This tragedy marks one of the deadliest aviation incidents in India in recent years, recalling the 2010 Air India Express crash in Mangalore, which claimed 158 lives. Public attention is focused on the ongoing rescue efforts and the investigation, with calls for transparency and accountability as details emerge. The government has promised regular updates as the situation develops.
Families seeking information about passengers can contact Air India’s dedicated helpline, established at the airline’s Ahmedabad office, or visit the emergency center at the airport. Authorities are urging the public to avoid the crash site to allow emergency teams to operate efficiently. The nation awaits further updates as rescue operations continue and investigators work to uncover the cause of this catastrophic event.
