Air India flight crashes near Ahmedabad, over 200 feared dead in nation’s worst aviation disaster in a decade

An Air India Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner crashed in Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff at 1:38 PM IST on 12 June 2025, killing more than 200 people. The aircraft, operating as Flight AI171 from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to London Gatwick, crashed into a residential and student housing complex in the Ghoda Camp area, adjacent to Meghani Nagar. Gujarat Police and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the crash and the toll.

The Indian Air Force and National Disaster Response Force were deployed immediately. A mayday distress signal had been issued by the pilots before the crash, as confirmed by the Air Traffic Control team at the airport. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has ordered a full-scale investigation, and black box recovery operations were concluded by 6:40 PM IST.

What happened in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025?

Flight AI171 departed at 1:38 PM from Ahmedabad bound for London. Within minutes of liftoff, at an altitude of less than 650 feet, the pilots declared an emergency. According to Air Traffic Control officials, the aircraft attempted to return toward the airport but lost altitude rapidly and crashed at 1:42 PM. The impact zone included the BJ Medical College hostel and nearby residential units. Flames and smoke engulfed the area immediately.

Police cordoned off all roads to the crash site. Seven fire engines, paramedical teams, and over 300 personnel were deployed. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel confirmed at least 204 fatalities by 6:00 PM, including five medical students and multiple ground casualties. At least 30 injured individuals were taken to Civil Hospital and LG Hospital with critical burn injuries.

What do we know about the passengers onboard?

Air India confirmed that the aircraft carried 242 occupants, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Of the passengers, 169 were Indian citizens, 53 were British nationals, and the rest included Portuguese, Canadian, and Gulf travelers. Among them were 11 children and two infants. Two survivors have been rescued: a British-Indian businessman and a cabin crew member, both in critical condition.

Multiple embassy officials from the UK, Portugal, and Canada have reached Ahmedabad to assist their nationals. The British High Commission issued a statement at 6:30 PM, confirming the identities of its citizens onboard and dispatching consular support to the city.

Where did the aircraft crash and what was the impact?

The Dreamliner crashed into the Ghoda Camp area, a densely packed residential zone adjacent to BJ Medical College. The aircraft disintegrated on impact, setting off multiple secondary fires across the college hostel and surrounding buildings. The hostel was housing 72 medical students at the time. Firefighters brought the blaze under control within an hour, but debris continued to smoulder.

The crash occurred barely three kilometers from the airport runway, raising concerns about departure protocols and urban planning around the airport perimeter. The Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority is coordinating with Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to assess structural safety of buildings in the area.

What do authorities say about the cause of the crash?

As of 9:00 PM IST, the cause of the crash remains officially undetermined. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), along with officials from Boeing and GE Aerospace, is leading the inquiry. Aviation Ministry officials said both flight data recorders—the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR)—were retrieved intact by 6:40 PM and sent to Delhi for analysis.

Preliminary reports from aviation sources suggest the aircraft’s landing gear may have failed to retract, possibly affecting lift and climb rate. Witnesses reported hearing loud booms, and some footage shows landing gear deployed during descent. However, neither Air India nor the Ministry has confirmed any technical failure.

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated during a press briefing, “We are not ruling out any possibility, including bird strike, engine failure, or control system fault. The AAIB will follow ICAO protocol to determine the sequence of events.”

Has Air India had similar incidents before?

This marks the deadliest incident for Air India since the 2020 crash of Air India Express Flight IX1344 in Kozhikode, which killed 21 people. It also surpasses the 1996 Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision in terms of civilian impact on the ground. The only deadlier accident involving an Air India aircraft was the 1985 bombing of Flight 182 over the Atlantic Ocean.

The aircraft involved in Thursday’s crash, tail number VT-ANB, was delivered to Air India in January 2014 and had accumulated approximately 41,200 flight hours over 7,900 cycles. The plane was powered by two GE GEnx engines and had passed routine maintenance at the Delhi engineering base on 3 June 2025.

What is Boeing’s involvement in the investigation?

Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, has acknowledged the crash in a brief statement and expressed condolences to victims’ families. A Boeing technical team based in India is working alongside the AAIB and GE Aerospace. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified and may participate under ICAO Annex 13 due to Boeing’s country of origin.

This crash is the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its commercial debut in 2011. Though the Dreamliner faced early scrutiny for battery overheating incidents in 2013, it has since earned a strong safety record. Thursday’s crash could prompt renewed scrutiny of the Dreamliner’s early-phase flight stability under failure conditions.

What has the Indian government said and done so far?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a statement at 4:15 PM, describing the incident as “heartbreaking beyond words” and confirmed that he was in continuous touch with relevant authorities. Home Minister Amit Shah chaired an emergency meeting with aviation and disaster response teams.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has set up a 24×7 crisis helpline and established coordination desks at Ahmedabad, Delhi, and London airports. Families of victims were offered emergency travel and financial assistance. The Ministry also confirmed that ₹1 crore would be paid as ex gratia to the kin of each deceased Indian passenger. Compensation for foreign nationals will be coordinated via consulates.

How are foreign governments responding?

The UK government has deployed a consular team to Ahmedabad. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy offered support and said the UK was “working closely with Indian authorities to aid all those affected.” Portuguese and Canadian diplomatic missions have issued similar statements and confirmed they are in contact with Indian emergency officials.

Flight AI171 was a daily long-haul route connecting Western India with the UK’s Gujarati diaspora. British airlines have canceled reciprocal flights from London Gatwick until further notice, and Heathrow is prepared to accommodate stranded passengers rerouted from India.

What happens next in the investigation?

Investigators will analyze data from the flight recorders and interview air traffic controllers, rescue teams, and possibly the surviving crew. The AAIB is expected to release a preliminary report within 30 days. Safety regulators such as the DGCA, FAA, and EASA may issue interim safety advisories based on early findings.

Air India has grounded three Dreamliners of the same build configuration pending inspection. Boeing and GE will assist in maintenance record audits and systems analysis. If systemic issues are found, this could trigger a temporary airworthiness directive for the 787 fleet in India or globally.

Final status: Situation as of 9:00 PM IST

As of 9:00 PM on 12 June 2025, more than 204 people have been confirmed dead in the crash of Air India Flight AI171 near Ahmedabad. Rescue operations are nearly complete. Black box recovery is confirmed. The AAIB-led investigation is active, and international teams are expected to join. Families are being notified, and assistance is ongoing. Flight operations at Ahmedabad airport resumed partial services by 6:30 PM.

The crash is among India’s most severe aviation tragedies in the past decade. Investigators are expected to focus on possible mechanical failure, bird strike risk, and crew response in the critical moments following takeoff. Updates from the Ministry and Air India are expected overnight.