Updates on the article can be found below. Viewer discretion is advised due to disturbing content.
A severe aviation accident occurred when Air India Flight AI171, operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The aircraft was scheduled for a regular flight to London Gatwick (LGW). The plane’s signal was lost at 08:08 UTC (13:38 local time) at an altitude of 625 feet (approx. 190 meters), less than a minute after takeoff.
The aircraft involved in the accident was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, serial number 36279, registered as VT-ANB. At the time of the crash, the plane was 11 years old.
According to initial reports, the aircraft crashed near the runway, causing a massive fire. Emergency services responded immediately, and the crash site was cordoned off to prevent unauthorized access.
On board were 242 passengers and crew members. Air India confirmed the accident in a brief statement, saying:
“With deepest sorrow, we confirm that Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London crashed this morning. Investigations are ongoing, and our top priority is to support the families of those affected. We are cooperating with local authorities and relevant agencies to determine the cause of the accident.”
Air India’s website still lacks further details, and due to heavy traffic, the page occasionally crashes. The Indian government and aviation authorities have announced a thorough investigation.
Air India has set up a hotline for passengers’ families, while a crisis center is being prepared in Ahmedabad to identify victims and provide psychological support. The international community, including ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), will monitor the investigation to ensure transparency.
Article update on 12th June 2025 at 11:57
Air India has issued a release through its official X account:
“Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today 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 Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals. The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information. Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident. Air India will release further information via regular updates on its X handle (https://x.com/airindia) and on http://airindia.com.”
Article update on 12th June 2025 at 12:02
The first images from the accident scene are arriving, including video of the aircraft’s fall. Viewer discretion is advised due to graphic content.
#BREAKING: AIR INDIA FLIGHT #AI171 CRASHES IN AHMEDABAD SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF
Following reports of a crash involving Air India flight #AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (reg: VT-ANB) lost signal at 08:08:51 UTC, just seconds after takeoff.… pic.twitter.com/RKFhipU1ll— Turbine Traveller (@Turbinetraveler) June 12, 2025
Very shocked to hear about the #AirIndia Ahmedabad-London flight incident near Ahmedabad airport. Praying for the safety of all passengers and crew. 🙏#PlaneCrash #Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/jmKkgJbHeU
— TVK Vijay Trends (@TVKVijayTrends) June 12, 2025
Article update on 12th June 2025 at 14:53
According to reports by The Economic Times, an aircraft crashed into a medical college hostel building, resulting in five fatalities inside the building due to the crash and subsequent fire, with at least 40 people injured. There is no information yet on the number of victims from the crashed aircraft. Sources indicate that the captain managed to declare ‘Mayday’ and ‘Engine Failure’ in the final seconds of the flight, signaling engine trouble.
Article update on 12th June 2025 at 16:51
Reuters reports that 204 bodies have been recovered from the wreckage and debris of the aircraft, while the search for others continues. Authorities emphasize that the remains of the plane’s victims are mixed with those of victims on the ground, and they are urging families to provide DNA samples for identification. While some sources consider finding survivors “extremely unlikely,” local media report one surviving passenger who walked away from the crash site, though these claims have not been officially confirmed. Air India has released the age breakdown of the passengers on the plane: 217 adults, 11 children, and two infants.
Article update on 12th June 2025 at 18:18
It has been confirmed that one passenger did indeed survive the plane crash. The survivor is a British citizen, Ramesh Vishwashkumar, who was seated in 11A. He sustained injuries to his head, chest, and legs, but they were described as minor. The passenger recounted to reporters how everything happened very quickly and that the crash was preceded by a powerful impact.
Police authorities claim there could be more survivors already in hospitals, as the injured were treated immediately upon being found, and no identification or verification was done to determine whether they were passengers or people injured on the ground.
Article update on 12th June 2025 at 21:38
“We are still verifying the death toll, including those who died in the building struck by the plane,” Vidhi Chaudhary, a senior state police official, told Reuters. She said the number of victims exceeds 240, which revises the earlier report of 294 fatalities, as some body parts had been double-counted. It is currently unclear how many of the deceased were on the aircraft and how many were on the ground.
Boeing issued a public statement, noting that this is the first fatal accident involving a 787 Dreamliner since its introduction in 2009. Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg said: “Our deepest condolences go out to the families, loved ones, and crew members of Air India Flight 171, as well as all those affected in Ahmedabad. I have spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to offer Boeing’s full support, and our team stands ready to assist in the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.”
Live coverage of the event ended on June 12, 2025, at 21:45.
