AI plane with 242 people on board, crashes near Ahmedabad airport immediately after take-off
Ahmedabad, June 12 (UNI) An Air India flight bound for London with 242 people on board crashed near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon.
Details about casualties were not known and there was no official comment on any casualties. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was listed among the passengers of the ill-fated flight. Mr Rupani, 68, was the Chief Minister from 2016 till
2021. One person who was sitting on seat no. 11 A, was admitted to hospital even as the kin of other passengers frantically looked for any survivors.
The aircraft lost contact within minutes of takeoff and went down in the Meghani Nagar area. Rescue operations were on. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were brought in from Gandhinagar.
The Air India flight, a Boeing Dreamliner 787, crashed in a densely populated area near the airport. Immediately after the crash, local residents rushed to the area to help with rescue efforts.
There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals on board. There were 12 crew
members.
Air India in a post on X, said "Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in
an incident 12 June 2025." It said Air India continues to ascertain the details.
Pesident Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic crash. In a post on X,
President Droupadi Murmu said she was "deeply distressed" to learn about the incident and called it a "heart-rending
disaster."
'I am deeply distressed to learn about the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. It is a heart-rending disaster. My thoughts
and prayers are with the affected people. The nation stands with them in this hour of indescribable grief,' the President
said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi while describing the tragedy as 'heartbreaking beyond words,' said '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.'
The Prime Minister spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu and directed them to ensure that all necessary support is extended immediately and has asked to be kept regularly updated on the situation.
The Civil Aviation Minister Minister informed the Prime Minister that he was rushing to Ahmedabad to oversee rescue and relief operations on the ground.
Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran said XXX Editors pick up from Para eight of Accident Air India Lead crash.
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