NEW DELHI: An Air India flight crashed on Thursday shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The London-bound flight had over 242 passengers on board. Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani was one of the passengers.Six teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and two from the BSF have been sent to undertake rescue and relief operations at the crash site. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Union home minister Amit Shah and civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu and took stock of the situation. “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. 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,” he said in a post on X.“Air India B787 Aircraft VT-ANB, while operating flight AI-171 from (Ahmedabad to Gatwick) has crashed immediately after takeoff from Ahmedabad. There were 242 people 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,” Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) informed. Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel has ordered “immediate rescue and relief work and arrange for immediate treatment of the injured passengers on a war footing.” Additionally, NDRF team is conducting rescue operations.
Here’s what we know so far:
- The exact reason behind the crash is unknown.
- Moments after takeoff, the pilot of the Air India flight issued a Mayday alert to Ahmedabad air traffic control. However, there was no response from the aircraft, DGCA said in a statement.
- The flight was carrying 242 passengers and crew members. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals.
- Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani was one of the passengers.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Union home minister Amit Shah and civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu and took stock of the situation.
- Air India set up passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information regarding the incident.
- Union home minister Amit Shah spoke to the Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and took stock of the situation. He also assured the central government’s assistance into the accident.
- Gujarat CM ordered immediate treatment for the injured and all arrangements in hospitals on priority basis.
- Air India reacted to the incident and said that the airlines was trying to “ascertaining the details”. “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 on http://airindia.com and on our X handle,” it said in a post on X.
- UK government is working with local authorities to assess the situation and assist those affected. Concerned British nationals can call 020 7008 5000, it informed.
- Three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, comprising 90 personnel, have been moved from Gandhinagar to the
plane crash site. A total of three more teams are being moved from Vadodara. - Flight operations at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have been temporarily suspended until further notice.
- Plane manufacturer Boeing said it was “aware of initial reports” about the crash of the London-bound Air India flight and is “working to gather more information” on the incident. The ill-fated flight was being operated by a Boeing 787-8 aircraft.
- UK’s King Charles stated he is “desperatley shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad, India.”
