London-bound Air India Boeing Dreamliner with 242 passengers crashes in residential area near Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff.
A London-bound Air India flight from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad crashed early Thursday afternoon, minutes after takeoff.
The plane, a Boeing “Dreamliner,” was carrying 242 passengers when it encountered an emergency situation shortly after takeoff and crashed in the Meghani residential area near the airport.
Emergency responders are at the scene.
Eyewitnesses described a powerful explosion and heavy smoke. Among the passengers were 169 Indian citizens, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian citizen.
According to the flight tracking website Flightradar24, the plane stopped transmitting seconds after takeoff.
Air India confirmed: “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.”
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reported that there were 230 passengers, 2 pilots, and 10 cabin crew members on board the aircraft.
The aircraft was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar.
This is the first time a Dreamliner plane has crashed. Dreamliners first entered service in 2009.
Earlier, the plane had made a domestic flight. It is believed that the high quantity of fuel, intended for the longer international leg, greatly contributed to the size and intensity of the fire.
Buckingham Palace stated that King Charles is being kept updated on the incident, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed shock over the tragedy. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed deep sorrow, calling it “a heartbreaking event beyond words.”
