Sonali Tiwary
1:40 AM IST – 13/6/2025
1:37 AM IST – 13/6/2025
8:15 PM IST – 12/6/2025
7:50 PM IST – 12/06/2025
7:30 PM IST – 12/6/2025
6:50 PM IST – 12/6/2025
5:40 PM IST – 12/6/2025
5:03 PM IST – 12/6/2025
4:45 PM IST – 12/6/2025
Update on Air India Crash Casualties
Approximately 100 bodies have been recovered from the Air India flight AI171 crash site in Ahmedabad. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the passengers on the ill-fated London-bound flight.
The aircraft was carrying a multinational group of travelers, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian citizen.
The President of India has expressed condolences, stating: “I am deeply distressed to learn about the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. It is a heart-rending disaster. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected people. The nation stands with them in this hour of indescribable grief.”
Rescue operations continue at the crash site as authorities work to account for all 242 people who were onboard.
4.20PM IST- 12/6/2025
An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport today, June 12, 2025. Flight AI171, headed to London Gatwick, went down in the Meghani Nagar residential area near the airport around 1:55 PM local time.
The plane was transporting a total of 242 individuals, comprising 230 travelers and a crew of 12. Captain Sumit Sabharwal was in command with First Officer Clive Kunder as co-pilot. Captain Sabharwal had 8,200 hours of flying experience, while First Officer Kunder had logged 1,100 hours.
What Happened
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the plane took off from Runway 23 at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The pilots sent a “MAYDAY” distress call to Air Traffic Control shortly after becoming airborne, but then all communication stopped.
Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 shows the aircraft’s signal was lost at 625 feet altitude, less than a minute after takeoff. The plane reportedly hit the airport’s perimeter wall before crashing in the nearby residential neighborhood.
People nearby reported hearing loud blasts, after which dense smoke could be seen billowing up from where the plane went down. The substantial amount of fuel the aircraft carried for its international journey likely made the resulting fire more intense.
Rescue Efforts Underway
Emergency teams rushed to the scene immediately. Seven fire engines and multiple ambulances were dispatched to fight the flames and search for survivors. From Gandhinagar, the National Disaster Response Force mobilized three units (totaling 90 staff members), while three additional teams were dispatched from Vadodara.
The intense blaze at the crash location has hampered rescue work considerably. Operations at Ahmedabad airport have been suspended temporarily, with all scheduled flights on hold until authorities give clearance.
Official Responses
India’s Prime Minister Modi has been in touch with both the Civil Aviation Minister and Gujarat’s Chief Minister regarding the incident. He has ordered prompt rescue and relief actions and requested to be kept informed about developments.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel instructed officials to provide urgent medical care to any injured passengers. “I have instructed the officials to carry out immediate rescue and relief work and arrange for immediate treatment of the injured passengers on a war footing,” he said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also been in contact with state officials to coordinate the response.
Air India’s Statement
Air India confirmed the incident in a brief statement: “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details.”
Natarajan Chandrasekaran, the chairman of Air India, called it a “tragic accident” and added, “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.”
Investigation
Both aviation authorities and Air India have begun inquiries into what caused the crash. A team of technical experts from Boeing is anticipated to assist with the investigation. Recovering and examining the black box will be essential to determine why the aircraft went down.
Currently, officials have not released any confirmed information about survivors or fatalities. The main focus remains on the continuing rescue efforts at the site where the plane crashed.
