An Air India flight bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The Boeing 787 aircraft, operating as Flight AI171, went down in the Meghaninagar area near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. A total of 242 people were on board, including two pilots and ten cabin crew members.
The incident occurred around 2:00 pm (IST), shortly after takeoff. Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick black smoke rising from the crash site. Emergency services, including fire and rescue teams, quickly arrived at the scene and launched immediate operations.
Video footage shared by news agency ANI shows wreckage scattered across the area. In light of the incident, all flight operations at Ahmedabad airport have been suspended until 5:00 pm to prioritize rescue efforts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, instructing them to provide full support and to ensure every possible assistance for the affected.
Shah also contacted Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and the city’s Police Commissioner, affirming the deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and central aid.
Chief Minister Patel expressed deep sorrow over the accident and ordered immediate medical treatment for the injured. He also directed officials to establish a green corridor to expedite the transfer of victims to hospitals. Relief operations have been placed on high alert, with instructions issued for priority-level care and coordination.
Air India, in a brief statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, confirmed the incident and said details are being verified. The airline promised further updates via its website and social media.
Meanwhile, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has sent a specialized team to Ahmedabad to investigate the cause of the crash. The exact reason for the accident remains unknown as of this report.
Meanwhile, news agencies quoting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation watchdog, saying. the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control shortly after declaring a distress call and went down just beyond the airport perimeter, saying the aircraft involved was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, registered VT-ANB.
The flight took off at 1:39 PM IST (08:09 UTC) from Runway 23. Shortly after takeoff, the pilots issued a “MAYDAY” distress call to air traffic control. However, no further communication was received before the plane plummeted to the ground.
“Aircraft immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. Heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site,” the DGCA noted.
The flight was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar.
“Capt Sumeet Sabharwal is an LTC with 8200 hours of experience. The copilot had 1100 hours of flying experience,” the DGCA added.
As the nation reels from the shock, authorities are working to determine the cause of the incident. Updates are expected to follow on Air India’s official website and social media channels.
