Tragedy in Ahmedabad: London-Bound Air India Flight Crashes, 242 Onboard Including 53 British Nationals

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner went down shortly after takeoff, with passengers from India, the UK, Portugal, and Canada among the victims.

Breaking: Air India Flight AI171 crashes after takeoff in Ahmedabad. 242 onboard, including 53 British and 169 Indian nationals. All the latest details, eyewitness reports, and investigation updates.

Ahmedabad, India – June 12, 2025:

A London-bound Air India flight AI171, operating on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport today, killing or injuring an as-yet-unclear number of people. 

The flight was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, with multiple nationalities represented:

169 Indian nationals

53 British nationals

7 Portuguese nationals

1 Canadian national

The plane went down around 1:38 PM IST, less than one minute after takeoff, crashing into a densely populated area near Meghani Nagar, just beyond the airport’s perimeter.

Scene of the Crash: Fires, Debris, and Chaos

Eyewitnesses reported hearing multiple explosions and seeing smoke plumes rising into the sky moments after the aircraft disappeared from view. One local resident described it as "a thunderclap followed by fire raining from the sky."

Video footage circulating on social media shows wreckage scattered across a residential street, with emergency responders struggling to reach survivors amidst flames and debris.

Rescue and Emergency Response

Firefighters, paramedics, and police arrived within minutes. Emergency responders have confirmed fatalities but haven’t yet released official numbers. Rescue efforts were made more difficult by the fire’s intensity, likely worsened by the aircraft’s fully loaded fuel tanks for the long-haul flight to London Gatwick Airport.

Several nearby homes sustained damage, and local hospitals have been put on emergency alert.

Passenger Nationalities and Global Impact

The tragedy is already resonating worldwide, particularly in the UK, where 53 of the passengers were British nationals.

The British High Commission in New Delhi has confirmed they are working closely with Indian authorities and offering assistance to affected families.

A Canadian foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed the presence of one Canadian national on board and expressed condolences to the victims' families.

Aircraft Details and Flight Background

Flight AI171 was operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, widely regarded as one of the most modern and safest aircraft. 

This incident marks the first major hull loss of a Dreamliner since its introduction in 2011, and the first fatal Air India accident since 1985.

The plane had been cleared for a routine departure and took off under seemingly normal conditions.

Investigations Underway

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)has initiated an investigation, with support from Air India and Boeing representatives

. Black boxes (Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder) have been located and will be analyzed.

Preliminary theories include:

A mechanical malfunction

Possible engine failure

 A bird strike or sudden environmental factor

Experts urge caution against speculation until official findings are released.

International Reactions and Tributes

Governments and aviation bodies across the world have expressed condolences. India's Prime Minister and the UK's Foreign Secretary have both issued statements acknowledging the loss and promising cooperation in the ongoing investigation.

Memorial vigils are already being planned in Ahmedabad,London, and Lisbon, where many of the victims had family.