On Thursday, June 12, 2025, a catastrophic aviation incident shook the city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, as Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The flight, carrying 242 passengers and crew, including 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, plummeted into the Meghaninagar residential area near the airport, resulting in one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India in nearly three decades. Reports indicate there may be no survivors, with casualties also reported on the ground. Below is a detailed account of the incident based on available information.
Incident Overview
Flight AI171 departed Ahmedabad at 1:38 PM IST (08:08 UTC) on June 12, 2025, under the command of Captain Sumit Sabharwal, a licensed training captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar, with 1,100 hours. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registered as VT-ANB, issued a MAYDAY call shortly after takeoff, indicating an emergency. According to Flightradar24, the aircraft reached an altitude of 625 feet (190 meters) before losing signal just seconds later, suggesting a rapid descent at a rate of -475 feet per minute. The plane crashed at approximately 1:50 PM IST into a building in the Ghoda Camp area near the airport, triggering a massive fire and thick plumes of black smoke visible across the city.
The crash site, located in the densely populated Meghaninagar locality, exacerbated the tragedy, with reports of ground casualties and damage to buildings, including a doctors’ hostel. Emergency services, including firefighters and rescue teams, were swiftly deployed to douse the blaze and search for survivors, but Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik stated there appeared to be “no survivors” from the aircraft.
Passenger Details and Notable Individuals
The flight was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers (with two infants) and 12 crew members. Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, reflecting the strong cultural ties between India and the UK.
Notably, former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was reportedly on board, a claim mentioned by multiple sources, including BJP leaders and news outlets. Rupani’s presence has drawn significant attention, with no official confirmation of his fate at the time of reporting. Additionally, London-based yoga enthusiast Jamie Meek and his partner Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek were among the passengers. Meek had shared Instagram posts hours before the flight, documenting their time in Ahmedabad and expressing excitement about returning to England after a “mind-blowing” trip to India.
Immediate Response and Rescue Operations
The crash prompted an immediate response from local authorities and emergency services. Fire tenders were rushed to the site to extinguish the blaze, which had engulfed the wreckage and parts of a nearby building. Ahmedabad’s Asarwa Civil Hospital received the injured and deceased, with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel personally visiting to assess the situation.
Air India released an emergency helpline number, 1800-569-1444, for families and relatives seeking information and support. Ahmedabad City Police also issued an emergency contact number, 07925620359, for crash-related inquiries. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport was temporarily closed, suspending all flight operations, but resumed limited services by 4:05 PM IST. Passengers were advised to contact their airlines for updated schedules.
Official Reactions and Statements
The tragedy elicited responses from leaders across India and internationally:
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief, stating, “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.” Modi confirmed he had spoken with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, instructing them to travel to Ahmedabad to ensure all possible assistance.
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney tweeted, “Devastated to learn of the crash of a London-bound Air India plane in Ahmedabad, carrying 242 passengers — including one Canadian. My thoughts are with the loved ones of everyone on board.”
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The British Royal Family, through a statement from King Charles and Queen Camilla, expressed being “desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning.”
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Indian political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, and several chief ministers, expressed shock and offered condolences, emphasizing the need for urgent rescue and relief efforts.
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Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, issued a statement saying it was in contact with Air India and stood “ready to support them,” extending thoughts to the passengers, crew, and first responders.
Investigation and Potential Causes
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have launched a probe to determine the cause of the crash. Investigators are prioritizing the recovery of the flight’s black box, which includes the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, critical for understanding the sequence of events.
Preliminary reports suggest the aircraft experienced a technical issue, as it had been delayed by 90 minutes on its previous London-to-Delhi flight due to a technical fault. However, no conclusive cause has been identified, and weather conditions at the time were reported as non-extreme by Flightradar24.
This incident marks the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, raising concerns about aviation safety and the model’s reliability. The same aircraft type has been involved in non-fatal incidents in the past, but this tragedy underscores the need for a thorough investigation into both mechanical and operational factors.
Impact and Broader Context
The crash has reignited discussions about aviation safety in India, a country with a growing aviation sector but a history of occasional disasters. The incident is among the deadliest since the 1996 Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision, which killed 349 people. The crash’s location in a residential area has also raised questions about urban planning around airports and emergency response protocols.
Social media platforms, particularly X, have been flooded with reactions, with netizens expressing shock and grief. Posts like “Shocked and speechless at the Air India crash. Only prayers at this time” reflect the public’s emotional response.
Ahmedabad’s airport, officially named after Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is a major hub in western India, and the temporary closure disrupted travel plans for many. The resumption of limited flights indicates efforts to restore normalcy, but the focus remains on supporting the affected families and investigating the tragedy.
Conclusion
The crash of Air India Flight AI171 is a heartbreaking tragedy that has claimed numerous lives and left a profound impact on India and beyond. As rescue operations continue and investigations unfold, the focus remains on supporting the victims’ families and understanding the cause to prevent future disasters. The aviation community and the public await further updates, hoping for clarity and closure in the wake of this devastating event.
For ongoing updates, families can contact Air India’s emergency helpline at 1800-569-1444 or Ahmedabad City Police at 07925620359.
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