🔴 LIVE UPDATES|Last Updated: 13 June 2025 at 09:33 am IST

BREAKING: Air India Flight AI171 Crashes After Takeoff from Ahmedabad

Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashes into residential area | 240+ confirmed dead | Investigation ongoing

Air India Flight AI171 - Key Facts

Flight: Air India AI171 (Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner)

Route: Ahmedabad → London Gatwick

Takeoff: 1:38 PM local time

Crash Time: ~1:40 PM (2 minutes after takeoff)

Location: Meghani Nagar residential area

Souls on Board: 242 (230 passengers + 12 crew)

Survivors: 1 confirmed

Ground Casualties: 24+ confirmed dead

Air India AI171 Passenger Breakdown

  • 169 Indian nationals
  • 53 British nationals
  • 7 Portuguese nationals
  • 1 Canadian national
  • 11 children and 2 infants among passengers

What We Know About the Air India Crash

The Crash Sequence

  • Aircraft issued MAYDAY call citing "engine failure" moments after takeoff
  • Lost contact with ATC at 625 feet altitude
  • Crashed into residential area, striking medical college hostel dining area
  • "Massive fireball" and thick black smoke visible across city
  • Captain Sumeet Sabharwal's final transmission: "Engine failure"

The Sole Survivor

Vishwashkumar Ramesh, 40-year-old British national of Indian origin:

"Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly"

Currently hospitalized with multiple injuries but "out of danger"

Official Air India and Government Responses

Air India Statement

"Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today. We are investigating the specifics and will provide more updates as soon as possible."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

"The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it."

Tata Group Compensation

  • ₹10 million ($116,800) compensation per family
  • Full medical expenses coverage for injured
  • Reconstruction of damaged medical college hostel
  • Chairman N Chandrasekaran: "No expressions can truly convey the sorrow we are experiencing"

Air India AI171 Investigation Status

Leading Agencies

  • India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
  • International cooperation expected from UK, US aviation authorities

Key Evidence

  • Black box recovery operations underway
  • Flight radar data shows contact lost at 625 feet
  • CCTV footage capturing crash sequence
  • First reported fatal crash of Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Aircraft Details

  • Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (Registration: VT-ANB)
  • Captain: Sumeet Sabharwal (8,200 flight hours)
  • First Officer: Clive Kundar (1,100 flight hours)

Air India AI171 Casualties & Emergency Response

Confirmed Deaths

  • 241 on aircraft (passengers and crew)
  • 24+ on ground (medical college hostel residents)
  • Total: 265+ confirmed deaths
  • Police report: "Most bodies charred beyond recognition"

Emergency Response

  • Home Minister Amit Shah visited crash site and met survivor
  • "Green corridor" established for emergency vehicles
  • Mass casualty protocols activated at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital

International Reactions to Air India Crash

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer

"The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating"

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

"Heartbroken to hear the news of the tragic plane crash"

President Trump

Offered support to PM Modi: "Anything we can do, it is a big, strong country, they'll handle it"

Emergency Resources for Air India AI171 Families

Air India Emergency Hotline

1800 5691 444

International Callers: +91 80627 79200

Support Services

  • British Embassy India Emergency Support
  • Grief Counseling Services Available
  • Family Assistance Centers Established