The airline says the plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport.
An Air India plane with more than 242 people on board, traveling between the Indian city of Ahmedabad and the British capital, London, crashed Thursday shortly after takeoff, the airline confirmed, with no immediate reports of casualties.
“Flight AI171, operating between Ahmedabad and London Gatwick Airport, was involved in an incident today, June 12, 2025,” an airline spokesperson said on its social media account, stressing that the incident is under investigation.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Gyanendra Singh Malik has confirmed that “a plane crashed in the Meghaninagar area, near the airport,” as reported by the Indian news agency PTI. Several videos on social media show a large column of smoke in the area.
Air India has detailed that the Boeing 787-8 was carrying 242 passengers and crew, before specifying that among them are 169 Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. “The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals,” he added.
“We have set up a telephone line for the passengers,” he said, while stressing that he is “fully cooperating” with the authorities in the investigation of the crash, with no details yet available on its possible causes.
Ahmedabad Airport said in a statement that the aircraft “was involved in an accident shortly after takeoff” and confirmed that the plane crashed near the facility, which “is not operational.”
“All flight operations are temporarily suspended until further notice,” it said. “Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest information before arriving at the airport. We ask for your cooperation and patience while authorities manage the evolving situation.”
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his condolences after the plane crash and confirmed that he is in contact with local authorities to address the situation. “Disaster response teams have been quickly deployed to the scene,” he said.
The British Foreign Office said it is working with local authorities following the crash, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer lamented that “the images being released… are devastating.”
“I am being kept informed as the situation develops and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time,” the British prime minister said, as reported by the BBC.
