Air India Flight AI171 Crashes Near Ahmedabad: 2025’s Worst Aviation Tragedy

In one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s recent history, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed on June 12, 2025, shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA). The flight, bound for London Gatwick, was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members.

Within minutes of departure, the aircraft issued a “Mayday” distress call and plummeted into a residential area near Meghani Nagar, tragically impacting a hostel for junior doctors. Thick black smoke, flames, and chaos followed the crash, with early reports indicating over 100 fatalities and many others injured.

Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Timeline of the Tragic Moments After Takeoff

At 1:39 PM IST, Flight AI171 took off from Runway 23 with 242 people on board—230 passengers (including 2 infants) and 12 crew members, led by Captain Sumit Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder. Just two minutes later, at 1:41 PM, the plane issued a “Mayday” call to air traffic control (ATC) but stopped responding. Moments after, it crashed into a residential area near Meghani Nagar, close to the airport’s perimeter wall, hitting a hostel for junior doctors. Thick black smoke and flames erupted, with debris scattered across the site, as captured in chilling videos shared on social media.

The passenger list included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 1 Canadian, and 7 Portuguese, along with former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was traveling in business class. Reports suggest over 100 fatalities, though exact numbers are unconfirmed as rescue operations continue. Several doctors at the hostel were injured, but the building was evacuated safely. The crash site, described by eyewitnesses as chaotic with “dead bodies and debris everywhere,” is now a hive of emergency activity.

Rescue and Relief: Inside the Immediate Response to Flight AI171 Crash

Emergency teams swung into action within minutes. Twelve fire brigades, police, NDRF, Army, BSF, and NSG personnel are at the scene, dousing flames and clearing debris. Ambulances lined up at Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital to treat the injured, with all doctors on high alert.The Gujarat government set up a control room at the State Emergency Operation Centre to assist families, and Air India activated a hotline (1800-5691-444) for information. The Ministry of Civil Aviation also opened an Operational Control Room (011-24610843, 9650391859) to coordinate efforts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally spoke with Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging them to rush to Ahmedabad to oversee rescue and relief. Shah, calling the crash “tragic,” is en route, while Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is directing operations on a war footing. Leaders like Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, AAP’s Manish Sisodia, and West Bengal’s CM expressed grief, with Sisodia rallying local AAP workers for relief efforts. Even the Russian embassy and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer shared condolences, noting the international scope of the tragedy.

What Caused the Ahmedabad Plane Crash?

The cause remains unknown, and investigators from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are on the case. The Boeing 787-8, a model known for a solid safety record, has faced engine issues in the past, but it’s too early to pin this on mechanical failure.

The pilots’ “Mayday” call suggests a sudden emergency, possibly technical or external, but the black box will hold the answers. Social media is rife with speculation—some mention a loud explosion before the crash—but authorities are urging calm until facts emerge. This is the first time a Boeing 787 has crashed, making it a significant case for aviation safety.

Impact and What’s Next

Ahmedabad’s SVPIA is closed until further notice, with all flights, including those from Kerala and Delhi, suspended or diverted. The crash into a residential area has raised concerns about airport proximity to urban zones, likely sparking debates on safety regulations. For now, the focus is on rescue—sources say chances of survivors are slim, but teams are working tirelessly. The DGCA and Air India are cooperating fully, promising updates via airindia.com and their X handle (@airindia).

Families are grappling with unimaginable loss, and the nation is mourning. Posts on X reflect raw grief, with videos of smoke and sirens painting a grim picture. As someone piecing this together, it’s hard not to feel the weight of it—242 lives, each with a story, now part of this tragedy.

Air India plane crash: Check the full list of passengers here

a808c4e72a-air-india-passenger-list.pdf

Helpline Numbers and Official Updates

If you’re seeking details or have loved ones involved, contact Air India’s hotline (1800-5691-444) or the Ministry’s control room (011-24610843). Avoid unverified social media claims, as some posts may exaggerate or mislead. Air India and the Gujarat government will share official updates soon. For now, let’s hold space for those affected and hope for clarity in the days ahead.