An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing or injuring an unknown number. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu rushed to the scene, calling for urgent rescue efforts. Emergency services are on-site; investigation and updates are underway.
Ahmedabad plane crashA tragic aviation disaster struck Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon when Air India’s London-bound flight AI171 crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying over 230 passengers, was en route to London Gatwick when it went down near the Meghaninagar area of the city.
Among those on board was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, seated in business class (seat 2D). His presence was confirmed via check-in records and official passenger manifest His current condition remains unverified, as rescue efforts continue.
The crash, which occurred between 1 and 2 PM, sent thick grey smoke billowing into the sky—visible from kilometres away, including in the Vastrapur area. Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing scenes of chaos and confusion as emergency sirens pierced the air and first responders rushed to the site.
In a devastating incident this afternoon, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner headed to London Gatwick, crashed just minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft, registered VT‑ANB, departed at 13:38 IST and reached a maximum altitude of just around 625 feet before losing contact and plummeting into the Meghani Nagar residential area five minutes later .
Flight Manifest & Onboard Details
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Occupants: 242 total — 230 passengers and 12 crew (including 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew)
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Nationalities: 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian
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Aircraft Details: A Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, around 11 years in service
Caught On Cam: Passenger plane crashes near Ahmedabad Airport.#PlaneCrash #Gujarat #Ahmedabad #ViralVideo pic.twitter.com/EkitM2Eg9Y
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) June 12, 2025
Notable Passenger: Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani
Among those on board was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, seated in business class (seat 2D). His presence was confirmed via check-in records and official passenger manifest His current condition remains unverified, as rescue efforts continue.
🚨 BREAKING:
A major tragedy strikes Gujarat – An Air India passenger aircraft crashed during takeoff in Meghani, Ahmedabad.
Initial reports indicate a massive accident with rescue teams rushing to the scene.
Prayers for all onboard. 🙏#PlaneCrash pic.twitter.com/AzxNh3PvgG— Adorable (@rehnedotum_) June 12, 2025
Mayday & Crash Details
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The aircraft crew, led by veteran Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (approx. 8,200 flight hours) and First Officer Clive Kundar, issued a MAYDAY shortly after takeoff
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Around 1:43 PM IST, the transponder signal was lost. Radar and ADS‑B data indicate a rapid descent from 625 ft
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The aircraft collided with an airport perimeter wall before crashing in a populated zone, triggering a massive fireball and thick black smoke seen from distant neighborhoods like Vastrapur and Dharpur
Emergency Response
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Deployment: At least seven fire engines, over two dozen ambulances, and specialized emergency units from Ahmedabad Fire & Emergency Services were dispatched immediately
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On the Ground: Roads around Meghani Nagar were sealed to clear passage for rescue teams. An emergency control room has been activated at the Ministry of Civil Aviation
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Medical Aid: Several injured passengers have been taken to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and other nearby medical facilities
Official Statements & Political Voices
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly spoke with Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, and Ahmedabad Police Commissioner to coordinate the response
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Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu announced he’s personally monitoring the rescue efforts, stating on X: “Shocked and devastated… directed all aviation and emergency agencies to take swift, coordinated action.” He confirmed that medical rescue teams have been mobilized
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reported to be in close communication with his cabinet ministers and authorities overseeing the situation .
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Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran expressed deep sorrow and announced the setup of an emergency helpline and support center for families, prioritizing assistance and verified updates
Operational & Investigative Aftermath
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Airport Status: All operations at Ahmedabad airport have been suspended pending investigation and runway clearance
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Investigation Underway: The DGCA and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have dispatched teams to probe the cause, including recent refurbishments and possible engineering faults on the aircraft
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Industry Impact: This marks the first-ever hull-loss incident involving a Boeing 787 since its introduction in 2009
What We Still Don’t Know
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Casualty Figures: No official report has been issued yet on fatalities or survivors.
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Pilot Communications: Details surrounding the MAYDAY and subsequent communications are fragmented and subject to verification.
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Cause of Crash: While initial suspicion points to mechanical issues post-refurbishment, cause analysis is pending exhaustive technical review.
What Happens Next
Authorities are urging the public to avoid the crash-affected Meghani Nagar area to allow for efficient rescue and hazard mitigation. Meanwhile, Air India’s emergency centre continues to operate, offering support and regular updates to concerned families. Both Indian and UK government entities are coordinating to assist their respective nationals.
As investigation teams comb through cockpit voice recorders and black boxes, the nation waits for clarity on what caused this catastrophic failure during takeoff. The focus remains firmly on saving lives, understanding root causes, and supporting affected families.
This remains a developing story. We’ll bring further verified details, casualty information, and official reports as they become available.
Firefighters, police, medical teams, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were among the first to reach the location, launching immediate rescue and relief operations. Over two dozen ambulances were deployed, and some of the injured were transported to nearby hospitals. However, as of now, officials have not released confirmed details on the number of casualties or the cause of the crash.
Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), he said, “Shocked and devastated to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. We are on the highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action.”
The Minister, who was in Vijayawada attending the NDA government’s first anniversary events, immediately left for Ahmedabad upon receiving news of the incident. Treating the situation with utmost urgency, he cut short his engagements and is now en route to the crash site to personally oversee rescue operations.
Naidu added that rescue teams had been rushed to the crash site and reiterated that all efforts were being made to ensure immediate medical aid and relief for those affected. “My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families,” he added.
He is reportedly in constant touch with senior officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), NDRF, and Gujarat state officials to ensure a well-coordinated response.
As the situation unfolds, Home Minister Amit Shah has reportedly spoken to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other top officials to assess the situation and offer full Central support. Traffic around Meghaninagar and the surrounding region has been diverted to facilitate unhindered access for emergency vehicles and personnel.
Air India has released a brief official statement: “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad–London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details.” The airline has not yet disclosed information on casualties or the possible cause of the crash.
Dramatic visuals from the site have shown a wreckage area engulfed in smoke, emergency responders navigating through debris, and a heavy presence of security personnel. Locals gathered at a safe distance, many in shock and disbelief over the tragedy that unfolded so close to home.
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Residents and eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and confusion in the moments following the crash. “We heard a loud noise and then saw thick smoke. Soon, ambulances and fire trucks began arriving,” said one local resident.
As investigations begin and rescue operations continue, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has assured the public that updates will be shared as more verified information becomes available. At this stage, the focus remains on passenger safety, effective medical intervention, and uncovering the cause of the crash.
The country waits with bated breath as officials continue efforts to assess the full scope of this tragic incident and provide support to the victims and their families.
