A major aviation tragedy struck on Thursday as Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed moments after takeoff, with over 240 people on board.
The aircraft, registered VT-ANB, departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad shortly after 1:30 p.m. local time but went down within minutes near the Meghani Nagar area, just outside the airport perimeter.
According to a statement released by Air India on social media, “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad–London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. We are ascertaining the details.”
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that 242 individuals were on board, including 230 passengers, two pilots, and ten cabin crew members. The flight was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with First Officer Clive Kundar as co-pilot.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion followed by thick plumes of black smoke rising from the crash site. Videos circulating on social media show flames engulfing the wreckage as emergency responders rushed to the scene.
Three teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), comprising 90 personnel, were immediately deployed from Gandhinagar. Additional reinforcements from Vadodara were dispatched later in the day. Firefighters and local police are working to secure the area and assist survivors.
Airport operations were temporarily suspended to allow emergency response teams full access to the runway and surrounding crash zone.
The number of casualties has yet to be officially confirmed, though sources say several people have been critically injured. Officials have not ruled out fatalities.
The cause of the crash remains unknown. Aviation authorities have launched a full investigation. Recovery of the aircraft’s black box flight recorders is underway.
Government officials, including India’s Minister of Civil Aviation and Gujarat State emergency teams, are closely monitoring the situation.
This is a developing story.
