An Air India flight travelling from Ahmedabad to London, carrying 242 passengers, has crashed shortly after takeoff. A video circulating online shows the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner descending rapidly into a residential neighbourhood, with thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky.
Authorities have reported that the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at approximately 1:47pm local time (8:17am GMT), following a slight delay to its scheduled departure. The plane was reportedly cleared for takeoff but encountered trouble just minutes later.
“It crashed just nine minutes after being cleared for takeoff,”
reports stated, though officials have yet to provide detailed information about the sequence of events that led to the crash.
Breaking and horrific :
– @AirIndia flight AI-171 on @Boeing 787 to @Gatwick_Airport has crashed in a residential area in Ahmedabad
– Flight took off at 138 pm and had 242 passengers besides crew
– @DGCAIndia has dispatched a team
Thoughts with everyone there 🙏 pic.twitter.com/OMYNYOoP9S
— Tarun Shukla (@shukla_tarun) June 12, 2025
Emergency response efforts are underway. Firefighters have been dispatched to the scene, battling the ensuing blaze and assisting in search and rescue operations. Local emergency teams are also being deployed to aid affected residents and to secure the crash site.
“Fire fighters have arrived at the scene, and emergency teams are being deployed,”
officials confirmed earlier today.
As of this writing, the cause of the crash has not been established. Investigators are expected to begin a thorough examination of flight data and the aircraft wreckage.
“The authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the crash,”
a spokesperson stated during a press briefing.
Terrifying news coming out of Ahmedabad.
Air India flight AI 171, which was set to fly to London, has crashed shortly after taking off. More than 150 passengers are on board, according to initial reports. We are all praying for their safety.pic.twitter.com/LeEwj4inND
— Anish Gawande (@anishgawande) June 12, 2025
The incident has sent shockwaves across the aviation community and prompted concerns about aircraft safety. Residents in the affected neighbourhood are being evacuated as emergency services work to contain the aftermath.
Further updates from the airline and aviation authorities are anticipated as the investigation progresses.
