An Air India plane crash has rocked the aviation world on June 12, 2025, after Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 passengers and crew, plummeted into a residential area in Ahmedabad, India, moments after takeoff.
It was gathered that the London-bound flight, destined for Gatwick Airport, issued a desperate MAYDAY call before losing contact, leaving authorities scrambling to uncover the cause of this catastrophic incident.
Also, a report from Flight Radar revealed that the last signal from the aircraft was received seconds after take-off when the plane was at 625 feet (airport altitude is about 200 feet).
According to the official report, the Air India plane crash occurred just minutes after the aircraft departed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.
Air India, in its official press statement, confirmed the Air India plane crash and expressed their commitment to investigating the incident.
This was contained in the press statement issued by Air India’s chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran.
The statement reads: “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 has been set up for families seeking information.”
Also, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed that the flight carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, including 217 adults, 11 children, two pilots, and 10 cabin crew members.
Among the passengers was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, adding a high-profile dimension to the disaster.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass also gathered that emergency services, including firefighters and police been immediately deployed to the Meghaninagar area near Ghoda Camp, where the plane crashed into a doctors’ hostel, sparking chaos and road closures.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reacted to the development, saying: “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.”
Similarly, the United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a heartfelt message, said his thoughts are with the passengers and families of those on the Air India flight, which was bound for London Gatwick and crashed in Ahmedabad.
He stated: “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.”
