In a devastating aviation tragedy, a London-bound Air India flight carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon, moments after takeoff. The crash has sparked fears of multiple casualties, though official confirmation on the death toll is awaited.
The ill-fated Boeing aircraft, operating as Flight AI171 to London Gatwick, reportedly lost altitude abruptly before crashing into the Meghani Nagar area around 2 pm, just minutes after departure from Ahmedabad International Airport. Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene as the aircraft came down, followed by a massive explosion and billowing black smoke visible for miles.
Air India confirmed the incident in a post on X, stating, “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.”
Emergency response teams rushed to the scene and launched an immediate rescue and firefighting operation. Several injured passengers were transported to the city’s civil hospital, with officials on the ground working to assess the full scale of the disaster.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanan Desai said rescue and evacuation efforts are ongoing, and authorities are still gathering information about the casualties. Fire officer Jayesh Khadia confirmed that multiple fire tenders had been deployed to contain the blaze and support recovery operations.
The wreckage site, now cordoned off, was accessed by some camera crews who broadcast harrowing visuals of the destruction. The cause of the crash remains unknown, and aviation authorities are expected to launch a detailed investigation.
The crash has sent shockwaves across the country and abroad, raising urgent questions about air safety and aircraft maintenance.
