On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people (230 passengers and 12 crew members), crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, en route to London Gatwick. The aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, reached a maximum altitude of 625 feet before losing contact with air traffic control less than a minute after departing at 1:39 PM IST. A MAYDAY call was issued by the crew before communication was lost. The plane crashed into the Meghani Nagar residential area, causing a massive explosion and fire, intensified by the heavy fuel load for the long-haul flight.
Heart aches for the victims. Sending prayers for healing and safety. 🙏
— Hinduism_and_Science (@Hinduism_sci) June 12, 2025
#planecrash pic.twitter.com/5RQuyx6xIG
Emergency response teams, including six National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) units, fire engines, and ambulances, were deployed immediately. Rescue operations are ongoing, with injured passengers being transported to nearby hospitals via a green corridor. The crash site showed thick black smoke and debris, with some parts of the aircraft damaging nearby buildings. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation, and Boeing may assist. The airport has suspended all flight operations until further notice.
📢 Ahmedabad–London flight had 242 passengers onboard, including several VVIPs in #PlaneCrash.
— The Analyzer (News Updates🗞️) (@Indian_Analyzer) June 12, 2025
Passenger list confirms former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani was onboard.
~ Scary visuals emerging. Tragic incident, praying for minimum casualties 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/TS7cS2Sdsf
Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was confirmed to be on board. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu are closely monitoring the situation, with Naidu heading to the site. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured full central government support. Air India has set up a passenger hotline (1800 5691 444) and is focusing on supporting affected families. No official casualty figures have been confirmed, but reports suggest over 25 passengers are feared dead.