Air India Flight AI171, en route to London, crashes minutes after takeoff with 242 onboard; eyewitnesses describe scene of devastation and thick smoke
Ahmedabad | June 12, 2025 – 4:06 PM IST
Moments after Air India Flight AI171 took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, it plummeted into a nearby residential zone, igniting a catastrophic crash that has shaken the nation.
Also Read: Air India Crash: Pilots Issued ‘Mayday’ Call- Then There Was Complete Silence Says DGCA
VIDEO | Gujarat: A London-bound Air India passenger flight AI 171 crashed shortly after takeoff near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the crash site.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 12, 2025
The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew members, was en route to… pic.twitter.com/s02KcMmYQL
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese citizens.
Also Read: Air India Crash: Bird Hit Likely Caused Engine Failure, Say Experts
🔴 Eyewitness Account:
“I was at home when we heard a massive sound. When we went out to see what had happened, there was a layer of thick smoke in the air,” an eyewitness told PTI.
“When we came here, dead bodies and debris from the crashed aircraft were scattered all over.”
Videos and photos circulating on social media confirm the horrifying visuals: burning wreckage, black plumes of smoke, and emergency personnel rushing to the site.
🛑 What We Know So Far:
- The flight departed runway 23 at 1:39 PM IST, and just minutes later, issued a “Mayday” distress call to Air Traffic Control before losing all contact.
- The crash site includes a student hostel building, further heightening concerns about casualties on the ground.
- Air India confirmed: “The injured are being transported to nearby hospitals. A hotline has been activated: 1800 5691 444 for family members seeking information.”
- Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has reached Ahmedabad from Vijayawada and briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has instructed all agencies to remain on high alert and extend complete support.
🕯️ Aftermath & Rescue:
Emergency response teams, including fire brigades, ambulances, and local police, are on-site. While rescue operations continue, sources have indicated that chances of survival are slim due to the scale and impact of the crash.
Prime Minister Modi has ordered a comprehensive investigation and continuous updates to his office on the relief efforts.
Tags:
Air India plane crash, Ahmedabad flight AI171, eyewitness account, Boeing 787 crash, aviation accident, PM Modi response, Ram Mohan Naidu, Indian aviation