11:11 (IST) Jun 13

An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon, killing 265 people.

The aircraft, bound for London, plunged into the Meghani area of the city, sending up a massive plume of black smoke and triggering an immediate emergency response. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), there were 242 people on board the aircraft — 230 passengers, 2 pilots, and 10 cabin crew members.

The aircraft was under the command of Capt Sumeet Sabharwal, with first officer Clive Kundar. The flight was heavily fueled for the long-haul journey, adding to the intensity of the explosion and fire that followed the crash.

Ahmedabad Plane Crash Live Updates: A London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, killing 241 people on board. Only one person survived.

This was the country’s worst air disaster in recent times. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among those killed in the crash. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site to take stock of the situation.

Officials said flight AI 171 lost altitude soon after taking off at around 1.30pm, before crashing into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College doctors in Meghaninagar area and combusting in a fiery blaze that sent plumes of thick black smoke spiralling up in the air. The pilot had issued a ‘Mayday’ distress call, denoting a full emergency, soon after takeoff, the Air Traffic Control at Ahmedabad said.

Aviation experts said that going by the available visuals, lack of thrust in both engines and a bird hit could be among the probable causes. Visuals from the wreckage area showed bodies being pulled out and the injured, many with burns, wheeled into the city civil hospital close by.

The Centre has formed a high-level committee to probe the crash, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu said.

Helpline numbers: 011-24610843 | 9650391859 | 1800 5691 444 (Air India)

Here are the latest updates on Ahmedabad Air India Plane Crash:

Air India Ahmedabad Plane Crash Live Updates: In one of the deadliest aviation tragedies in recent years, Air India flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off on Thursday afternoon, killing 241 people on board. The airline confirmed the casualties on Friday morning.

PM Modi in Ahmedabad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site on Friday and also paid a visit to the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Multiple videos and pictures of the Prime Minister surfaced on social media where he was seen speaking to officials and taking stock of the situation. Watch:

#WATCH | PM Modi visited the #AirIndiaCrash site and assessed the ground situation today.

(Video source: DD) pic.twitter.com/Mamim5HgBm — ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2025

The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner had taken off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 pm with around 242 people on board. The lone survivor, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, has been identified as a British national of Indian origin, and is currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital. The passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national.

Air India, in an official statement posted on its X (formerly Twitter) handle, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the families of the deceased. “Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of all those affected, their families and loved ones,” the airline said.

A special team from Air India has reached Ahmedabad to assist with support and coordination efforts.

Air India plane crash survivors’ account

“Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly… When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital,” Survivor Ramesh told the media.

Current situation at Medical college and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport

The plane was headed to Gatwick Airport when it crashed into onto a medical college hostel during lunch hour. A top state police officer Vidhi Chaudhary told Reuters that the number of casualties from the hostel are still being verified. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has resumed operations partially following the crash. At the Civil Hospital trauma centre, charred and unidentifiable bodies are still being brought in for examination. The impact of the crash also caused significant damage to the BJ Medical College hostel in Meghaninagar, injuring at least 20 medical students. Reports suggest that at least 4 students are dead.

Air India Helpline

To assist relatives and concerned individuals, Air India has set up a dedicated helpline. Families in India can call 1800 5691 444, while those abroad can reach out at +91 8062779200. The airline has also urged media personnel not to use these numbers and instead follow official updates via its X handle and website airindia.com.

More details are expected as investigations continue and officials begin recovery and identification procedures. Catch live updates here on the current situation surrounding the Air India plane crash:

Live Updates

15:28 (IST) 12 Jun 2025

Ahmedabad Plane Crash LIVE Updates: What has happened so far

In case you are tuning in now, here’s what has happened so far

1. An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed into a residential neighbourhood near the city’s airport shortly after takeoff on Thursday afternoon.

2. The aircraft, registered VT-ANB, was carrying 242 individuals, including passengers and crew members. The number of casualties has not yet been officially confirmed.

3. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft departed Ahmedabad at 1:39 pm local time and issued a Mayday call moments after liftoff. Subsequent communication attempts by air traffic control went unanswered.

4. The plane went down in the densely populated Meghani Nagar neighbourhood, just outside the perimeter of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Thick plumes of black smoke were visible for miles.

5. Airport emergency services were activated without delay. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and local firefighters were deployed, although smoke and fire hampered early rescue efforts.

6. Senior officials from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and DGCA were dispatched to the site. Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu is en route to oversee rescue and relief operations.

7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Naidu and directed that all necessary assistance be provided promptly. He is receiving regular updates on the situation.

8. Following the crash, all operations at Ahmedabad’s international airport were halted. Officials stated that the airport would remain closed until further notice.

9. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had 8,200 flight hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who

had logged 1,100 hours. Both names were confirmed by the airline.

10. This marks the first recorded crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner globally since the model entered commercial service. The aircraft in question had been delivered to Air India in January 2014.

Ahmedabad Plane Crash Live Updates: A major incident was reported at Ahmedabad Airport on 12 June 2025, involving Air India Flight AI- 171, which was scheduled to operate from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. The aircraft reportedly crashed before take-off, with over 242 passengers be on board. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the state Home Minister, and the Police Commissioner, assuring full support and assistance from the Central government. While officials are still ascertaining the exact details of the crash, political leaders have begun reacting to the incident. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav called it “very unfortunate” and urged the government to ensure immediate medical aid to all passengers and crew, hoping for the safety of everyone on board.

Air Plane Crash Live UPDATES

1) The flight departed from Ahmedabad for London Gatwick at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft.

2) Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals.

3) PM Modi spoke to HM Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu. He has asked them to go to Ahmedabad and ensure all possible assistance.

4) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA), Ahmedabad, was shut for for sometime and again made operational.

5) Six teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and two from the BSF have been sent to undertake rescue and relief operations at the crash site.