Key Points
- A plane crash occurred near Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, on June 12, 2025, involving Air India Flight AI171, with 232 passengers and 10 crew, totaling 242 people.
- The crash happened shortly after takeoff at 13:38 IST, in the Meghani Nagar area, with reports of 50 bodies recovered and ongoing rescue efforts.
- Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was reportedly among the passengers, and the pilot issued a “MAYDAY” call before the crash.
- Air India has set up a hotline (1800 5691 444) for families, and there is an urgent appeal for blood donations at several Ahmedabad centers.
- The cause is under investigation, with emergency services actively engaged, and the airport shut down.
Incident Overview
On June 12, 2025, at around 13:38 IST, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. The plane, carrying 232 passengers and 10 crew (total 242), impacted the Meghani Nagar residential area, outside the airport perimeter. The pilot issued a “MAYDAY” call, and the last signal was at 625 feet altitude. Emergency services, including fire tenders, were mobilized, with reports of thick black smoke and 50 bodies recovered so far. The airport has been shut down, and rescue operations continue.
Official Responses
Air India expressed sorrow and is ascertaining details, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have assured support. British leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, noted the presence of British nationals, expressing devastation.
Support for Affected
Air India has a hotline (1800 5691 444) for families. There’s an urgent blood donation appeal, with centers listed below, to aid the injured.
Investigation and Impact
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating, marking this as the first Boeing 787 crash since 2011. The incident has significant implications, with ongoing updates expected.
Detailed Report on Ahmedabad Plane Crash
On Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 04:18 PM IST, a tragic plane crash involving Air India Flight AI171 has unfolded near Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the incident, drawing from multiple verified sources to ensure accuracy and depth.
Incident Details
The crash involved Air India Flight AI171, a scheduled international passenger flight from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) to London Gatwick Airport (LGW), United Kingdom. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration VT-ANB, took off at 13:38 IST. Tragically, it crashed shortly after, in the Meghani Nagar residential area, just outside the airport perimeter. The last signal from the aircraft, as per flight tracking data from Flightradar24, was at an altitude of 625 feet (190m), mere seconds after takeoff, indicating a rapid descent with a vertical speed of -475 feet per minute.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the flight carried 232 passengers and 10 crew members, totaling 242 people onboard. This aligns with reports from NDTV and CNBC TV18, confirming the passenger and crew breakdown. However, initial reports from some sources, such as X posts, mentioned 242 passengers, which seems to be a misinterpretation, as the total number aligns with 232 passengers and 10 crew.
The crash site showed significant impact, with videos on social media depicting thick black smoke and debris engulfed in flames. Local police and fire officer Jayesh Khadia confirmed the plane caught fire upon impact, prompting an immediate response from emergency services.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
Rescue operations are underway, with emergency teams mobilized on a “war footing,” as ordered by the state minister. Reports from X posts and news outlets, such as @BhaskarEnglish_ and Reuters, indicate that 50 bodies have been recovered, suggesting a high casualty rate. The exact number of survivors and fatalities remains unclear as of this report, with ongoing efforts to search the crash site. The scene is described as shocking, with rescue workers still trying to douse fires and assist the injured.
Notable Passengers and Pilot Actions
Among the passengers was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, a significant detail highlighted in multiple X posts, such as those from @CrossTownNews and @BhaskarEnglish_. The pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with 8,200 hours of experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar, with 1,100 hours, issued a “MAYDAY” call just before the crash, as noted by NDTV, indicating an emergency situation.
Official Statements and International Response
Air India issued a statement on X, confirming the incident and expressing sorrow, stating, “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X, saying, “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us,” reflecting the national gravity. Union Home Minister Amit Shah contacted Gujarat officials, assuring central government support.
Internationally, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed deep sorrow, noting the presence of many British nationals, with Air India reporting 53 Britons among the passengers, alongside 169 Indian nationals, 1 Canadian, and 7 Portuguese nationals, totaling 230 in the breakdown, which aligns with the 232 passenger count when considering possible additional nationalities.
Blood Donation and Family Support
In response to the crisis, there is an urgent appeal for blood donations to aid the injured, as highlighted in the initial report. The following blood donation centers in Ahmedabad are listed for eligible donors:
| Center Name | Location | Contact Number |
|---|---|---|
| U. N. Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre | Room No. 110, 1st Floor, A Block | 9316732524 |
| IHBT Department, Civil Hospital | 2nd Floor, 1200-bed Civil Hospital | 9428265409 |
| IKDRC Blood Centre | 1st Floor, IKDRC Hospital, Manjushree Mill Road, Baliya Limdi | 079-22687500 (Ext. 4226) |
| GCRI Blood Centre | 1st Floor, Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute | 079-22688026 |
Air India has also set up a dedicated passenger hotline for families and loved ones seeking information: 1800 5691 444, ensuring support during this critical time.
Investigation and Aircraft Details
The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India, as confirmed by multiple sources, including Wikipedia and Pragativadi. This incident marks the first crash and hull loss involving a Boeing 787 since its introduction in 2011 and Air India’s first major hull loss since the bombing of Flight 182 in 1985. The aircraft, built in December 2013, had a capacity of 256 seats, as per SeatGuru, with Flightradar24 providing technical data on its final moments.
Impact and Ongoing Developments
The crash has led to the shutdown of Ahmedabad Airport, disrupting operations and affecting regional travel. The residential area of Meghani Nagar has been significantly impacted, with eyewitnesses reporting explosions and thick smoke, as noted in Wikipedia and BBC reports. This is a developing story, with more updates expected as rescue efforts continue and investigations progress.
Key Observations and Discrepancies
There was initial confusion regarding the number of passengers and crew, with some reports suggesting 242 passengers and others clarifying 232 passengers with 10 or 12 crew. The DGCA’s confirmation of 232 passengers and 10 crew, totaling 242, resolves this, aligning with NDTV and CNBC TV18. The nationality breakdown from Air India (169 Indians, 53 Britons, 1 Canadian, 7 Portuguese) sums to 230, suggesting possible additional nationalities or reporting errors, but the total passenger count is consistent at 232.
X posts provided additional context, such as the mention of 50 bodies recovered and the presence of Vijay Rupani, enhancing the report’s depth. The urgency of blood donations and the hotline reflects community and corporate response, critical for managing the aftermath.
This report aims to provide a thorough, professional overview, ensuring all relevant details are captured for stakeholders, media, and the public, while acknowledging the ongoing nature of the situation.
