12 June, 2025:
In a tragic and most horrifying incident, a London-bound Air India flight carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed into the residential area of Meghani Nagar just moments after taking off from Ahmedabad airport at 1:38 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Several casualties are feared.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally spoke to the Minister of Civil Aviation, Rammohan Naidu, and took stock of the Air India flight crash incident in Ahmedabad, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said today.
The Air India flight was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner twin jet carrying a total of 230 passengers and 12 crew members with Pilot in Command Sumit Sabharwal and co-Pilot Clive Kunder. Among them 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian and 7 Portugese nationals.
“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,” Air India said in their ‘X’ post.
According to the Police Control room, the Air India Flight AI 171 was bound for London. “On 12th Jun, 2025, M/s Air India B787 Aircraft VT-ANB, while operating flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, has crashed immediately after take-off from Ahmedabad.
Capt Sumit Sabharwal is an LTC with 8,200 hours of experience. The copilot had 1,100 hours of flying experience. As per ATC, the aircraft departed from Ahmadabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23.
It gave a ‘MAYDAY’ Call to ATC, but thereafter, no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departure from Runway 23, the Aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. Heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site”, said a source in the DGCA.
Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel has reportedly rushed to Ahmedabad from Surat to assess the situation. As per preliminary reports, the aircraft crashed in a denselyt populated area near the airport. Immediately post the crash, local residents rushed to the area to help with rescue efforts.
According to an ANI report, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to the Gujarat Chief Minister, Home Minister and the Police Commissioner regarding the plane crash. He also assured that provide central government would provide assistance.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu took to X and wrote, "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 all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action. Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families," he said.
Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic and horrifying incident, extending deep sympathy to all those who have suffered in the wake of the devastating crash.
"At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. 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," he said. Chandrasekaran further informed that an emergency centre has been activated and a support team has been set up for families seeking information.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said he has directed officials to launch immediate rescue and relief operations and ensure urgent medical care for the injured passengers on a war footing. “I have also instructed the creation of a green corridor to swiftly transport the injured to hospitals and to prioritize all necessary treatment arrangements,” he stated. The Chief Minister added that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to him and assured full cooperation from the Centre.
