Flight to London Gatwick from India crashes with 244 people on board
An Air India flight to London Gatwick has crashed at Ahmedabad airport with hundreds of passengers on board.
The flight was AI171 and 244 people (232 passengers and 12 crew members) were on board the flight, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, chief of India's directorate of civil aviation said.
Police have said that the plane crashed in a "civilian area" outside the airport in western India.
Sky News reports that the plane's final signal was received on the website Flightradar just seconds after it took off.
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 https://t.co/Fnw0ywg2Zt and on our X handle (https://t.co/Id1XFe9SfL). -Air India…
— Air India (@airindia) June 12, 2025
Air India has shared the following statement: "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 (https://x.com/airindia)."
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The signal for the Air India plane was lost just a minute after it took off at 10.08am local time.
The plane had reached 625 feet, as Flightradar lists the plane as a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
India's aviation minister has said that they are on the highest level of alert and rescue teams have been deployed.
Air India's chairman N. Chandrasekaran said in statement: 'With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.
'At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted.
'Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information.
'An emergency centre has been activated and support team have been set up for families seeking information.'
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