Everything we know after airplane with 242 on board crashes shortly after takeoff
The Boeing flight crashed shortly after takeoff
Featured Image Credit: Anadolu/Getty
Topics: India, World News, Air India
Britt Jones
Topics: India, World News, Air India
An Air India flight bound for London crashed in Ahmedabad earlier today - here's everything we know about the incident so far.
Authorities have confirmed flight AI171 was travelling from Ahmedabad in India to London Gatwick, and crashed moments after taking off from the runway.
A video circulating social media shows the aftermath of a crash near the airport, as more updates come through about just what happened.
The London-bound plane crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the director general of the Directorate of Civil Aviation, confirmed to the Associated Press.
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The area can be seen in videos being covered in debris and smoke which fills the sky in the aftermath of the crash.
Indian authorities have confirmed that over 240 passengers were on board the plane at the time of the crash.
Rescue teams have since been called to the area as emergency services are on the scene, reportedly carrying people away from the crash in stretchers.
According to the airline, it was carrying ‘242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft'.
It added: “Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals.”
India's civil aviation minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, commented on the incident, stating: “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."
London Gatwick airport confirmed that flight AI171 was scheduled to arrive 6:25 P.M local time, but according to the Aviation Safety Network database, a spokesperson for Air India said: “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.”
Flight tracking website Flightradar24 posted on social media the details of its flight path, writing: “We are following reports of a crash of Air India flight #AI171 from Ahmedabad to London.
“We received the last signal from the aircraft at 08:08:51 UTC (shortly before 9.09am BST), just seconds after take off. The aircraft involved is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration VT-ANB.”
It added that the signal from the plane was lost ‘less than a minute after take-off’.
The Chairman of the airline, N Chandrasekaran, offered his condolences, saying this event appears to be a 'tragic accident'.
He said: “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 team have been set up for families.”
A Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, International Airport spokesperson confirmed online that Flight AI171’s crash has meant that the airport is ‘currently not operational’ and all flight operations are ‘temporarily suspended until further notice’.
It advises passengers to ‘check with their respective airlines for the latest updates before proceeding to the airport’ as the airport requests ‘cooperation and patience as authorities manage this evolving situation’.
UNILAD has contacted Gatwick Airport for comment.