A London-bound Air India plane carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed into a medical college complex in Ahmedabad and burst into a ball of fire on Thursday moments after takeoff, possibly killing almost everyone on board in one of the country’s worst air disasters. The police confirmed over 260 deaths, which included 241 of the 242 onboard the ill-fated and those in the hostel building into which the plane crashed.
The police found lone miracle survivor - a British national - who is undergoing treatment. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the dead, according to BJP leader C R Patil.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ahmedabad in the aftermath of the devastating plane crash earlier today, confirmed Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil. Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the crash site this evening. Earlier in the day, PM Modi spoke to Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and took stock of the situation. Meanwhile, operations at the Ahmedabad Airport have been temporarily suspended.
Flight No. AI 171, operating on the Ahmedabad–London Gatwick route, was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner - a mid-size, twin-engine, wide-body jet known for its fuel efficiency, enhanced passenger comfort, and modern features like electronically dimmable windows. It first took to the skies on December 15, 2009.
Here are the top updates on the big news:
- British High Commission officials reach the site where the London-bound Air India flight crashed.
- Police confirm over 260 deaths: As many as 265 bodies have been brought to the city civil hospital following the horrific crash of the London-bound Air India plane here on Thursday afternoon, a police official said. "265 bodies have reached the hospital as per the message we received," Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanan Desai told reporters.
- Probe ordered: Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu tweets, "Following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, a formal investigation has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Additionally, the Government is constituting a high-level committee comprising experts from multiple disciplines to examine the matter in detail. The committee will work to strengthen aviation safety and prevent such incidents in future."
- Death toll reaches 260: Death toll from India airplane crash rises to 260, reports AFP quoting police
- Amit Shah visits Ground Zero: Union Home Minister said that the temperature in the Air India plane which crashed in Ahmedabad was so high due to burning fuel that there was no chance to save anyone. “There was 1.25 lakh litre of fuel inside the plane and it caught heat so it was impossible to save anyone,” Shah told reporters.
- Four MBBS students, doctor's wife killed: Four MBBS students and a doctor's wife were among those killed after the London-bound Air India plane crashed into residential quarters of the BJ Medical college.
- Trump on plane crash: US President Donald Trump says Air India plane crash "one of the worst in aviation history”. "The plane crash was terrible. I've already told them (India), anything we can do...," he adds.
- Amit Shah on plane crash: There were 1.25 lakh litres of fuel in the plane. The temperature soared to such a high level in the plane because of the burning fuel that the chance to save anyone was slim: Amit Shah
- Amit Shah visits ground zero: Home Minister Amit Shah expresses grief, says he is pained beyond words. PM Modi called after receiving the news of the crash, he adds. Many feared killed in Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad; entire country is shocked, he said.
- Putin on plane crash: Russian President Vladimir Putin sends a condolence message to Indian President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi. "Please, convey my sincere sympathy & support to the victims' families and friends."
- Search for black box on: The search is on for the aircraft's black box -- the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder -- for clues to understand what happened in the last crucial moments.
- Amit Shah, Civil Aviation Minister visit accident site: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, MoS Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol and Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, visited the plane crash site and took stock of the situation.
- Tata Group announces compensation: The Tata Group said it would provide Rs 1 crore to the families of each person who has lost their life in this tragedy, while also covering medical expenses of those injured and ensuring that they received proper care and support.
“Additionally, we will provide support in the building up of the B J Medical’s hostel. We remain steadfast in standing with the affected families and communities during this unimaginable time,” Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said in a statement.
- Lone miracle survivor: The lone survivor has been identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national who was returning to UK after visit to Gujarat along with his brother Ajay Kumar Ramesh.
- Speaking to ANI on a phone call, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik said, "The police found one survivor in seat 11A. One survivor has been found in the hospital and is under treatment. Cannot say anything about the number of deaths yet. The death toll may increase as the flight crashed in a residential area."
- “It appears there are no survivors in the plane crash,” Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik told The Associated Press.
- We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected: Boeing
- Defence PRO said that the Indian Army, the National Disaster Response Force, and Coast Guards also arrived at the crash site to assist in rescue operations. The Indian Army at Army Cantt, Ahmedabad has broken open its boundary wall so that easy access to the site of the crash could be achieved.
- I am deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts are with the families of the passengers and the crew. The visuals are most heart-wrenching. The entire country is overtaken by grief and is praying: Sonia Gandhi
- "Helpline activated for AI171 crash in Ahmedabad Airport: 9974111327 For any assistance or information, please reach out. We are doing everything possible to support affected families.
@RamMNK @mohol_murlidhar @airindia," posts official handle of Ministry of Civil Aviation, MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI).
- "The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected," posts PM Modi on X.
- The plane crashed on the mess of the BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, according to the national president of the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA).
- Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, tweets, "The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating. I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time."
- Air India issues a dedicated passenger hotline number - 1800 5691 444 - to provide more information regarding the Ahmedabad plane crash.
- Air India says, "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 Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals. The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information..."
- Reports claim that more than 50 British passengers were on board the ill-fated plane that crashed in Ahmedabad.
- Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani was also on board the crashed plane. The list of passengers has his name mentioned. A confirmation from his office is still awaited, however, reports claim that he has been severely injured in the crash.
- Search and rescue operations underway at the plane crash site in Ahmedabad:
- Operations at Ahmedabad airport were suspended on June 12, 2025, following a crash involving an Air India aircraft shortly after it took off.
- N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Air India: “With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India flight AI 171 operating from Ahmedabad to 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 a support team have been set up for families seeking information.”
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel spoke to Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu. Naidu is taking a special flight from Vijayawada and is expected to reach Ahmedabad by 5 pm, reports Moneycontrol.
- Rescue teams have been mobilised, all efforts being made to ensure medical aid and relief: Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu
- Giving out details about the crash, DGCA, quoted by news agency ANI, said: “Captain Sumeet Sabharwal is an LTC with 8200 hours of experience. The copilot had 1100 hours of flying experience. As per ATC, the aircraft departed from Ahmadabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It gave a MAYDAY Call to ATC, but thereafter, no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC. Aircraft immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. Heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site.”
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
