An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people crashed immediately after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport this afternoon, marking one of the worst aviation disasters in India’s history. The flight, headed to London, had 232 passengers and 10 crew members onboard.
Only one person — the passenger seated at 11A — survived the crash, officials confirmed.
In a post on X at 12:41 am on Friday, Air India confirmed 241 fatalities.
“Air India confirms that flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on 12 June 2025, was involved in an accident. The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hours, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff. We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in hospital. The passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The survivor is a British national of Indian origin,” Air India stated.
Expressing its condolences, Air India said its teams are providing support and fully cooperating with the investigation.
“Air India offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Our efforts are now entirely focused on the needs of those affected, their families, and loved ones. A team of caregivers from Air India is in Ahmedabad to provide additional support. Air India is fully cooperating with authorities investigating this incident. A dedicated passenger hotline has been set up at 1800 5691 444 for information. For calls from outside India, please dial +91 8062779200. Regular updates will continue on Air India’s X handle (https://x.com/airindia) and at http://airindia.com as more information becomes available,” the statement added.
The plane crashed into a hostel for doctors at a medical college, killing five students. Visuals from the site showed debris piercing the dining hall wall, with food still visible on some of the plates.
Video footage captured the aircraft flying low and struggling to gain altitude before slamming into the ground and erupting in a massive fireball at 1:38 pm. The plane was loaded with fuel for the long flight to London.
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot issued a mayday call, but there was no response to subsequent calls from air traffic controllers, according to reports.
In the final moments, the aircraft failed to gain lift at an altitude of just 825 feet. “The aircraft was clearly unable to climb,” aviation expert Sanjay Lazar told NDTV.
Flight AI171 was carrying 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national.
Visuals from the crash site showed charred wreckage, thick smoke, and emergency responders working at the scene. Videos also showed injured passengers being transported to hospitals.
At least two dozen ambulances arrived at the site, and traffic in the area was diverted by police.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he is personally monitoring the situation and has directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift, coordinated action.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all those onboard and their families,” he posted on X.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that the aircraft, piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal with 8,200 hours of flying experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar with 1,100 hours, issued a mayday call moments before the crash.
Air India has set up a dedicated passenger hotline at 1800 5691 444 for additional information.
