A dramatic plane crash has shaken theIndia on Thursday 12 June, when a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from the Air India with 242 people on board He crashed a few minutes after take off from the airport of Ahmedabadin Western Gujarat. The flight was directed toGatwick London Airport.
According to the first reconstructions provided by the airport authorities, the plane took off regularly at 13:39 Local time from track 23 of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Pattel International airport of Ahmedabad. “A Mayday call was sent (The most serious international emergency signal in civil aviation) at ATC (Air traffic control), but later the plane did not respond to the calls made by the ATC, “the air traffic control officials declared.
Air India Confirms That Flight Ai171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident tot Taday 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 …
– Air India (@AIrindia) June 12, 2025
The impact took place in a residential area called Meghani Nagara short distance from the airport. The images spread on social media show dense columns of black smoke that rise in the sky, while the videos of the security cameras captured the plane while flying over an inhabited area before disappearing in an explosion of fire.
Very Shocked to Hear About the #AIrindia Ahmedabad-London Flight Accident Near Ahmedabad Airport. Praying for the safety of all passengers and crew. #Planecrash #Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/jmkkgjbheu
– Tvk Vijay Trends (@Tvkvijayrends) June 12, 2025
The FlightTradar24 air traffic monitoring site confirmed that it was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with VT-Anb recording, one of the most modern passenger planes on duty. The platform received the last sign from the plane a few seconds after take off, confirming the drama of the situation.
On board the flight there were passengers of different nationalities, as Air India explained: 169 Indian citizens, 53 British, 7 Portuguese and 1 Canadian, in addition to the 12 crew members. Among the passengers there was also the former Gujarat Prime Minister Vijay Rupanieven if the official confirmation is still waiting.
The reaction of the authorities was immediate. The Prime Minister Narendra modes He personally contacted the Civil Aviation Minister RAM Mohan Naiduby ordering immediate rescue operations. “The Prime Minister ordered the Minister to ensure that all the necessary support is provided immediately”, reads the official press release of the ministerial office.
Shocked and Devastated To Learn About the Flight Crash in Ahmedabad.
We are on Highest Alert. I AM Personally Monitoring The Situation and Have Directed At Aviation and Emergency Response Agencies to Take Swift and Coordinate Action.
Rescue Teams Have Been Mobilized, and all …
– Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@rammnk) June 12, 2025
Even the Prime Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel He mobilized local resources: “I gave instructions to the authorities to immediately start the rescue and assistance operations in the event of an accident and to prepare the necessary immediate care for injured passengers,” he wrote on social media.
N. Chandrashekanpresident of Air India, has released an official declaration: “With deep pain I confirm that the flight Air India 171, operating between Ahmedabad and London Gatwick, was involved today in a tragic accident. Our thoughts and our most heartfelt condolences are aimed at families and dear of all those who have been affected by this devastating event”.
Ahmedabad airport was immediately closed to air traffic to allow rescue operations. Specialized teams of the editor’s note intervened on the spot (National Disaster Response Force) and the central government, while a green corridor was prepared for the transport of the wounded in local hospitals.
The accident brings to memory the previous tragic aerial episode in India of 2020, when a Boeing 737 of the Air India Express crashed to Kozhikade airport causing 21 victims. On that occasion, the plane had crossed a “table-top” track during the landing in adverse weather conditions.
Boeing, producer of the aircraft involved in today’s accident, has not yet made official statements about the matter. The investigations to determine the causes of the crash are already in progress, while the authorities continue to provide assistance to the families involved through an emergency center specially activated.
