More than 200 people were killed when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London with 242 people on board crashed on Thursday, June 12, in the northwestern Indian city of Ahmedabad, in Gujarat state.
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| Photo courtesy: X/Central Industrial Security Force of India |
The plane crashed into a residential area, striking a medical college hostel near the airport around lunchtime.
City Police Chief G.S. Malik told Reuters that 204 bodies had been recovered from the crash site. No survivors have been reported.
According to the Indian Express, all 242 people on board are believed to have perished, citing police sources.
Malik said the bodies recovered could include both passengers and people killed on the ground.
Flight AI171 was en route to Gatwick Airport when it went down near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, just moments after departing from runway 23 at 1:39 p.m. local time (0809 GMT).
We are following reports of a crash of Air India flight #AI171 from Ahmedabad to London. We received the last signal from the aircraft at 08:08:51 UTC, just seconds after take off.
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) June 12, 2025
The aircraft involved is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration VT-ANB… pic.twitter.com/EmKKISJldF
The aircraft was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals.
Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off.
— Air India (@airindia) June 12, 2025
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…
“We are currently ascertaining the details and will provide further updates,” Air India said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Local television footage captured the aircraft flying low over a residential area before vanishing from view, followed by a massive fireball erupting beyond the buildings.
Dramatic visuals showed flaming wreckage and thick black smoke billowing near the runway, as emergency response teams rushed to the scene.
WATCH: Air India plane carrying 242 people crashes in Ahmedabad while taking off for flight to London pic.twitter.com/KyLVZaV6i7
— BNO News (@BNONews) June 12, 2025
Air traffic control confirmed that the flight had issued a “Mayday” distress call shortly after takeoff, but contact was lost immediately thereafter.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is a modern, wide-body jet designed for long-haul travel, known for its fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. It was introduced in 2011 and is widely used for international routes.
Authorities from Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
— The Summit Express