LIVE: Air India Flight AI171 Crashes After Takeoff from Ahmedabad

A devastating tragedy struck Gujarat’s capital this afternoon when Air India flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner went down minutes after departure, smashing into the doctors' quarters of BJ Medical College in Meghani Nagar, triggering a massive blaze and widespread panic.

Ahmedabad City Police has issued an emergency number 07925620359 for police emergency services and information regarding the Ahmedabad plane crash.

Jun 13, 2025, 6:32 PM: The black box of Air India Flight AI-171 has been recovered approximately 28 hours after the crash. Found on the rooftop of the Doctors Hostel at Ahmedabad's BJ Medical College.

Jun 13, 2025, 1:58 PM: PM Modi chaired a review meeting at Ahmedabad Airport with top authorities regarding the Air India crash incident.

Jun 13, 2025, 1:21 PM:  DVR recovered from Air India crash site

Investigators have recovered the digital video recorder (DVR from the wreckage of the Air India Boeing Dreamliner that crashed while en route to London from Ahmedabad airport. The wreckage was found near the district hospital, where search operations had been underway since the incident.

An officer from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), who is part of the investigation team, located the DVR onboard the damaged aircraft. The device is expected to play a key role in helping authorities determine the cause of the crash, potentially speeding up the inquiry process. The recovered DVR may contain critical flight data and recordings that could provide valuable insights into the final moments before the crash, offering investigators a clearer understanding of what went wrong.

Jun 13, 2025 10:38 AM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today, where he surveyed the scene of the tragic Air India Flight AI171 disaster. He expressed deep sorrow over the devastation and met with officials and emergency teams involved in the rescue and relief efforts. The PM also visited the hospital to meet the sole survivor and other injured patients, offering words of comfort and solidarity. “We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words. Condolences to all the bereaved families. We understand their pain and also know that the void left behind will be felt for years to come,” he said.

Jun 13, 2025 8:13 AM:

Dedicated passenger hotline number for those calling from within India: 1800 5691 444; and those calling from outside India: +91 8062779200. Regular updates will continue on Air India’s X handle (https://x.com/airindia) and on http://airindia.com as further information comes to hand. 

Jun 12, 2025, 11:02 PM:  Union Home Minister Amit visited the plane crash site in Ahmedabad to take stock of the situation. 

Shah called the crash of Air India Flight AI171 a “national tragedy” and assured full government support to the victims’ families. Visiting Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, he met the sole survivor, spoke with families, and reviewed the medical response. Chairing a high-level meeting with central and state officials, he confirmed that the aircraft carried 230 passengers and 12 crew, with only one survivor. He said rescue efforts began swiftly, but the intense fire caused by 1.25 lakh litres of fuel left little chance to save lives.

Shah added that nearly 1,000 DNA tests would be conducted in Gujarat itself, with the identification and handover of bodies to families being prioritised. Facilities for food, accommodation, and trauma care have been arranged for grieving relatives, while the Aviation Ministry has launched an investigation. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff, hitting a doctors’ hostel near a medical college. Over 200 people, including passengers, crew, and those on the ground, lost their lives.

June 12, 2025, 8:38 PM: Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirms the demise of Ex CM of Gujarat Vijay Rupani. He even confirmed his presence in the disastrous flight to London. 

"We are going to do a fair & thorough investigation, and probe why this incident happened. We still have to find out the numbers. We will go to the depths of why this incident happened," Naidu told the media.

"I am shaken by the tragic and horrific incident. I am still in a state of shock. The PM called me and asked me to be here at the site. At this time, I can only think of the passengers and their families. Many agencies have been engaged in rescue operations. I don't want to say anything about the numbers yet. We are extending all help. The Union Home Ministér is also coming to the site here. Very sad to know that (BJP leader) Vijay Rupani was also there, and so were other nationals," he added.

June 12, 2025, 7:56 PM: Air India is also organising two relief flights, one each from Delhi and Mumbai, to Ahmedabad for the next of kin of passengers and Air India staff.

Details of the flights are as follows:


Additionally, those coming in from international destinations and wanting to travel can call our hotline on +91 8062779200. 

June 12, 2025: In the late evening Campbell Wilson, the CEO of Air Inda confirmed that the plane was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew, took off at 1:38 PM. Within moments, the flight’s transponder data showed abnormal descent, dropping from a climb of 625 feet into a negative vertical speed of –475 feet per minute. An urgent Mayday call was also reportedly issued by the cockpit, but communication was lost shortly after. Eyewitnesses described a horrific scene as the aircraft plummeted and erupted into flames upon impact, with dense black smoke billowing across the city’s skyline.

Air India confirmed the aircraft’s involvement in the crash, identifying the passengers as including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals. Early reports from emergency personnel estimate that more than 170 people may have died, with over 30 bodies recovered and many others trapped under debris. Several critically injured passengers and local residents have been rushed to hospitals across Ahmedabad.

The impact site, a residential building housing medical professionals, was almost completely gutted. Rescue teams, including NDRF, BSF, CRPF, CISF, and fire and police units, were immediately deployed. Evacuations and search operations are ongoing, with the area cordoned off as efforts to recover survivors continue late into the night.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and called the tragedy “stunning and heartbreaking,” offering condolences and stating he was in constant touch with ministers and local authorities. Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu is monitoring the situation and overseeing rescue operations, while President Droupadi Murmu and opposition leaders also expressed their grief.

Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran extended the airline’s “deepest condolences,” assuring support to victims’ families and full cooperation with investigating authorities. The DGCA and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are on site, examining flight data, air traffic communication, and wreckage to determine the cause of the crash.

Air India has set up a dedicated helpline (1800 5691 444) for families of passengers, while urging media not to call the emergency lines. Updates will continue to be released through official channels.

In the wake of the disaster, several airlines have responded. IndiGo on X issued a travel advisory acknowledging that operations at Ahmedabad Airport are affected due to runway restrictions. The airline expressed condolences to the families of the victims and has offered full refunds or rebooking options for impacted flights. “These are truly challenging times for everyone,” the advisory stated, adding that support teams are on standby across all channels to assist travellers.

This marks one of the worst aviation disasters in recent Indian history, and with casualty numbers likely to rise, the nation mourns a day of unfathomable loss.