A major tragedy occurred in Ahmedabad this afternoon when an Air India flight crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was heading to London Gatwick as Flight AI171. It had 242 passengers on board. Just minutes after its 1:38 PM takeoff, the aircraft crashed in the Meghaninagar area and caught fire, filling the sky with thick black smoke.
Fire officer Jayesh Khadia confirmed that fire trucks were quickly sent to the spot to control the huge fire. According to early information from the State Police Control Room, the plane crashed within five minutes of takeoff. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has sent a team of investigators from Delhi to find out what caused the crash.
People who saw the accident said it was terrifying. The crash scattered debris across the area, and flames covered the wreckage. News channels showed visuals of the burning plane, raising serious concerns about the safety of those on board. Officials have not yet confirmed how many people survived or died, but rescue operations are in full swing.
Air India released a statement on their official X (formerly Twitter) handle saying, “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 at the earliest.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to the Gujarat Chief Minister, the state Home Minister, and the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner. He assured full support from the central government. As a safety measure, the Ahmedabad airport has been temporarily closed. Emergency teams, including fire services and ambulances, are still working at the crash site.
