In India, a terrible aviation disaster has occurred.
Shortly after taking off, Air India Flight AI171, which was travelling from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed, shocking the world’s aviation community and leaving behind plumes of dense black smoke.
Authorities in India claim that the aircraft was transporting 242 individuals, comprising 12 crew members and 232 passengers. The airline claims that when the Air India flight crashed, 53 British citizens were on board.
Indian Civil Aviation Director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai told the Associated Press that the plane crashed in the heavily populated residential neighbourhood of Meghani Nagar, which is located outside Ahmedabad Airport in Gujarat.
Shortly after taking off, the jet lost communication, according to reports from Sky News and Flightradar24, a flight tracking website. According to Sky News, the unfortunate tragedy happened at approximately 1:38 p.m. local time. As the collision location was identified by tall smoke columns, emergency personnel hurried to the scene in a matter of seconds.
A huge trail of smoke
Amidst the wreckage, parts of the plane’s fuselage and tail can be seen in the startling photos and videos that have been shared on social media.
Indian Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu responded swiftly, saying, “I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action. Rescue teams have been mobilized, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.”
Social media users are sharing videos purporting to capture the crash of the Air India aircraft.
N. Chandrasekaran, the chairman of Air India, released the following sobering statement:
“With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India flight, AI171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event. At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families.”
“We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted. Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. An emergency centre has been activated and support teams have been set up for families.”
A Boeing Dreamliner
Although Gatwick Airport admitted the incident happened on departure from India, it also verified that flight AI171 was scheduled to land in the UK at 6:25 p.m. local time.
Julian Bray, an aviation specialist, told the Daily Mail:
“It’s a Boeing Dreamliner that has gone down—not certain whether they’ve managed to get anybody off the plane. If it has indeed crash-landed and they can deploy the chutes out, then they should be able to get people off in 90 seconds. I am aware there are fire appliances in attendance—this is a major incident. It is very disappointing that it is a Dreamliner as it is a state-of-the-art Boeing. We cannot rule out security issues. But this is all speculation on my part.”
The cause of the crash is still being investigated, despite reports of bright skies and mild breezes at the time. Although no deaths have been formally confirmed as of yet, the extent of the damage seen in preliminary images indicates that there may be a substantial death toll.
The crash is the latest in a series of tragedies involving Boeing aircraft in recent years. 189 people died on Lion Air flight 610 in Indonesia in 2018, and 157 people died in the Ethiopian Airlines disaster in 2019.
A quick update was posted on X by Air India:
“Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest.”
