New Delhi

A London-bound Air India plane carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon. Several casualties were feared.

The Boeing aircraft, which could be seen losing altitude quickly, crashed in the Meghaninagar area near the Ahmedabad international airport around 2 pm.

"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 on http://airindia.com and on our X handle," Air India posted on X.

Several of the injured were taken to the city's civil hospital.

CISF which immediately started rescue operations has posted the following images on X:

CISF Rescue Operations Underway at AI 171 Crash Site, Ahmedabad.
Following the tragic crash of London-bound Air India flight AI 171 near Ahmedabad Airport, #CISF personnel immediately activated emergency protocols and rushed to the site. Rescue operations are being carried out in… pic.twitter.com/jnfIWxQF1b

— CISF (@CISFHQrs) June 12, 2025

Thick black smoke could be seen billowing for miles around. Some camera crews accessed the crash area and showed visuals of the wreckage.

Emergency responders reached the site promptly and have launched intensive rescue, evacuation, and firefighting operations.

"We are acquiring details about the casualties," said Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanan Desai.

Fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the blaze, said fire officer Jayesh Khadia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday as heartbreaking beyond words and said it has "stunned and saddened us".

He said he is in touch with ministers and other authorities who are working to assist those affected.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, "The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words.

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. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2025

"In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected."

According to the Civil Aviation authorities, soon after the takeoff, the pilot of the ill-fated Air India aircraft gave a Mayday call to the Ahmedabad air traffic controller.

However, thereafter, no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC, the aviation regulator DGCA said in a statement.

At around 2 pm, the London-bound Air India plane carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport. Several casualties are feared.

The aircraft was under the command of Capt Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer Clive Kundar, DGCA said. Capt Sumeet Sabharwal is a LTC with 8200 hours of experience. The co-pilot had 1100 hours of flying experience.

As per ATC, the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from Runway 23. It gave a MAYDAY Call to ATC, but thereafter, no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC, according to the DGCA statement.

The aircraft, immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter, it said, adding heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site. The Boeing aircraft, which could be seen losing altitude quickly, crashed in the Meghaninagar area near the airport.

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“On Jun 12, 2025, Air India B787 Aircraft VT-ANB, while operating flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, crashed immediately after takeoff from Ahmedabad. There were 242 persons on board the aircraft, consisting of 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew,” DGCA said in the statement.