Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad: Centre sets up high-level probe panel; report expected within 3 months

The Police in the evening said that all 242 people who were on board the flight from Ahmedabad to London had died in the crash.

Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will be investigating the Air India plane crash at the Ahmedabad airport, according to an official quoted by news agency PTI. AAIB Director General and Director of Investigation at the agency, among others, will be leaving for Ahmedabad, the official said.

Under the civil aviation ministry, AAIB is responsible for the classification of safety occurrences, involving aircraft operating in the Indian airspace into accidents and serious incidents. It carries out detailed investigations into accidents and also suggests measures to improve safety.

The Ahmedabad-London flight crashing comes days before the opening of the Paris Air Show. Boeing has been in recovery mode for more than six years after Lion Air Flight 610, a Boeing 737 Max 8, plunged into the Java Sea off the coast of Indonesia minutes after takeoff from Jakarta, killing all 189 people on board.

Five months later, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a Boeing 737 Max 8, crashed after takeoff from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, killing 157 passengers and crew members.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday offered “deepest condolences” to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the plane crash. “Please accept my deepest condolences over the tragic consequences of the plane crash at Ahmedabad Airport. “Please convey my sympathy and support to the families of those killed and my wishes for a swift recovery to those injured in the crash,” Putin said in his message.

As condolences poured in from around the world, Australian PM Anthony Albanese said: “The news of a passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad is absolutely devastating. In this time of tragedy, Australia’s thoughts are with everyone affected. Our government is receiving regular updates and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.”

The Chief Justice of India and the companion judges of the Supreme Court, along with the officials of the Registry, expressed their condolences in a statement. “The Chief Justice of India has also expressed his concern for the inmates of the B J Medical College and Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad. During this difficult times our thoughts and prayers are with them. May they find strength and solace in the support of their loved ones”, the CJI said.

The Ahmedabad Civil hospital saw severely burnt bodies coming in, which were far beyond identification. Dr Pranjal Modi, director of the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre, located in the hospital campus, told The Indian Express that even the survivors who were unconscious, had suffered severe burns.

Relatives who had come from districts like Anand and other places in Gujarat to bid goodbye to their family members on the ill-fated AI 171 flight waited desperately for news of their dear ones. “Most of the patients (victims of the crash) are seriously injured, there are patients who are not identifiable, faces are burnt, bodies are burnt to great extent so they are not identifiable...because they are unconscious. Our priority is to help them survive,” said Dr Modi, who was attending to the families of the victims.

Boeing is working to gather information after an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with 242 people on board crashed minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad, a company spokesperson said.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said he was in deep sorrow over the crash of Air India flight AI171, which was en route to London from Ahmedabad. “The tragic news of the plane crash in Ahmedabad is deeply painful. Many passengers have lost their lives. I pray to God for the safety of all and hope that such incidents do not result in further loss of life,” Adityanath said.

Six teams of the National Disaster Response Force and two from the BSF have been sent to undertake rescue and relief operations at the aircraft crash site in Ahmedabad. Two NDRF teams have reached the spot near the Ahmedabad airport while four more are on their way, an officer of the federal force said. Two Border Security Force teams from the frontier headquarters of the force have also been sent to the accident site, a BSF officer said.

Personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), who provide a counter-terrorist security cover to the airport, were among the first rescuers to have reached the crash site along with local fire and police officials.

Reacting to the incident, President Droupadi Murmu wrote on X: “I am deeply distressed to learn about the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. It is a heart-rending disaster. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected people. The nation stands with them in this hour of indescribable grief.”

As relief and rescue efforts were on in full swing, the Disaster Management Team of Western Railway, too, extended full support in the operations at the site. “WR Medical Team and RPF personnel have also already been deployed for assisting in rescue operations. Additionally, Western Railway will operate extra trains from Ahmedabad based on demand. As of now one train for Mumbai and one train for Delhi are being planned from Ahmedabad,” the Western Railways said in a statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reacting following the crash, said: “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. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.”

Shares of planemaker Boeing fell 8 per cent in premarket US trading on Thursday after an Air India aircraft with 242 people crashed minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad. Boeing’s shares were down about 8 per cent at $196.52 in premarket trading, according to news agency Reuters.

With details of British nationals being present in the flight that crashed near Ahmedabad, the British Embassy in India said: “We are aware that a flight from Ahmedabad to London has crashed near Ahmedabad airport. We are working with local authorities to urgently establish the facts and provide support. Our thoughts are with all those affected.”

Reacting to the incident, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who has already had a call over it with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said: “Pained beyond words by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. Disaster response forces have been quickly rushed to the crash site. Spoke with the Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, Home Minister Shri Harsh Sanghavi, and Commissioner of Police Ahmedabad to assess the situation.”

In case you are tuning in now, here’s what has happened so far

1. An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed into a residential neighbourhood near the city's airport shortly after takeoff on Thursday afternoon.

2. The aircraft, registered VT-ANB, was carrying 242 individuals, including passengers and crew members. The number of casualties has not yet been officially confirmed.

3. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft departed Ahmedabad at 1:39 pm local time and issued a Mayday call moments after liftoff. Subsequent communication attempts by air traffic control went unanswered.

4. The plane went down in the densely populated Meghani Nagar neighbourhood, just outside the perimeter of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Thick plumes of black smoke were visible for miles.

5. Airport emergency services were activated without delay. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and local firefighters were deployed, although smoke and fire hampered early rescue efforts.

6. Senior officials from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and DGCA were dispatched to the site. Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu is en route to oversee rescue and relief operations.

7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Naidu and directed that all necessary assistance be provided promptly. He is receiving regular updates on the situation.

8. Following the crash, all operations at Ahmedabad’s international airport were halted. Officials stated that the airport would remain closed until further notice.

9. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had 8,200 flight hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who

had logged 1,100 hours. Both names were confirmed by the airline.

10. This marks the first recorded crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner globally since the model entered commercial service. The aircraft in question had been delivered to Air India in January 2014.

Moments after the Air India flight crashed near Ahmedabad airport, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar wrote on X: “Deeply shocked to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. Our prayers are with the passengers and their families.”

In an extended statement following the crash, Air India said: “With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India flight, AI 171 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.”

It added: “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 seeking information- N Chandrasekaran, Chairman Air India.”

London’s Gatwick Airport, too, put out a statement, saying: “We can confirm that flight AI171 that crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25.”

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, too, expressed condolences: “I am deeply saddened by the incident of Air India passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad. I have instructed the officials to carry out immediate rescue and relief work and arrange for immediate treatment of the injured passengers on a war footing. I have also instructed to arrange for a green corridor to take the injured passengers for treatment and to ensure all arrangements for treatment in the hospital on priority basis. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also spoken to me and assured full cooperation...”

Giving out details about the crash, DGCA, quoted by news agency ANI, said: “Captain Sumeet Sabharwal is an LTC with 8200 hours of experience. The copilot had 1100 hours of flying experience. As per ATC, the aircraft departed from Ahmadabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It gave a MAYDAY Call to ATC, but thereafter, no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC. Aircraft immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. Heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site.”

Following the crash, Air India, via a statement, 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.”

The aircraft, a Boeing Dreamliner, took off around 1.47 pm, slightly delayed from schedule. Officials say it crashed 9 minutes after being given clearance for take-off.