BREAKING: Air India Plane Crashes in Ahmedabad with 242 On Board

Ahmedabad, India | June 13, 2025 | 4:15 PM IST

A major aviation disaster struck India today when Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed moments after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, went down in a densely populated area near the airport perimeter, sending massive plumes of black smoke into the sky.

THE CRASH SEQUENCE
According to aviation authorities, the ill-fated flight:
• Departed Ahmedabad at 2:35 PM local time
• Issued a mayday call at approximately 2:41 PM
• Crashed in the Nikol area, about 5 km from the runway
• Burst into flames upon impact, with fire spreading to nearby structures

EMERGENCY RESPONSE MOBILIZED
Rescue operations are underway with:
✓ 25 fire tenders battling the blaze
✓ 50+ ambulances deployed to the site
✓ National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams conducting search operations
✓ Temporary morgues established at Civil Hospital

OFFICIAL STATEMENTS
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed: “This is one of India’s worst aviation tragedies in decades. We have initiated a full-scale investigation and are coordinating all rescue efforts.”

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson expressed “profound grief” and announced: “We have activated our emergency response center and are contacting affected families. Our immediate priority is supporting rescue operations.”

EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS
Local shopkeeper Rajesh Patel described the terrifying moment: “The plane came down like a fireball, shaking our buildings. We ran to help but the heat was too intense.”

Airport worker Priya Sharma recalled: “We heard multiple explosions after the initial impact. The smoke was visible from kilometers away.”

INTERNATIONAL REACTION
• UK Prime Minister expressed condolences
• Boeing pledged full technical support for investigation
• FAA and EASA monitoring situation

INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has:
• Secured the flight data and cockpit voice recorders
• Formed a 10-member investigation team
• Requested assistance from Boeing and international experts

HISTORICAL CONTEXT
This marks India’s deadliest air disaster since:
◊ 2010 Mangalore crash (158 fatalities)
◊ 1996 Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision (349 dead)
◊ 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing (329 victims)

IMPACT AND AFTERMATH
• All flights suspended at Ahmedabad airport until further notice
• Special helpline established for family inquiries
• PM Modi to visit crash site tomorrow
• Insurance companies activating emergency protocols

DEVELOPING STORY
This is a breaking news situation. Our team is on the ground bringing you verified updates as they emerge. Refresh for latest information.

KEY UPDATES:
[3:45 PM] Death toll remains unconfirmed as rescue operations continue
[4:00 PM] DGCA confirms black boxes located but not yet retrieved
[4:10 PM] Hospitals report receiving 32 survivors in critical condition

GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING:
Some images from the crash site may be disturbing. Viewer discretion advised.