First pictures from India after UK-bound plane crashes with hundreds aboard
First pictures from India after UK-bound plane crashes with hundreds aboard
Smoke has been seen billowing from a residential area after the plane crashed seconds after takeoff
The plane was bound for Gatwick
A plane bound for the UK has crashed shortly after take-off. The flight was leaving India's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad heading for London Gatwick.
Air India says flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick was "involved in an incident today". A spokesman said: "At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest."
A spokesman for Gatwick Airport said: "We can confirm that flight AI171 that crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25. More information to follow."
According to police, the plane crashed in a 'civilian area' outside the airport, and they say at least 242 people were on board. The plane's final signal was received just seconds after take-off at 10.08am local time, less than a minute after it left the airport.
GUJARAT, INDIA - JUNE 12: Smoke rises after a plane crash shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in India's western state of Gujarat on June 12, 2025. The crash occurred in the Meghaninagar area, according to a report by the Press Trust of India, citing local authorities. (Photo by Nandan Dave/Anadolu via Getty Images)
India's civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said: "I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action. Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site.
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"My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families."
Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the director general of the directorate of civil aviation, told The Associated Press that the flight, a Boeing 787, crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar five minutes after taking off.
There were 232 passengers and 12 crew members onboard and emergency teams have been activated at the airport, he said.
The plane had reached 625 feet. India's aviation minister says they are on the highest alert and rescue teams have been mobilised.
GUJARAT, INDIA - JUNE 12: Smoke rises after a plane crash shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in India's western state of Gujarat on June 12, 2025. The crash occurred in the Meghaninagar area, according to a report by the Press Trust of India, citing local authorities. (Photo by Nandan Dave/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The plane involved is reported to be an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Flight tracking website Flightradar24 posted on social media platform X: 'We are following reports of a crash of Air India flight #AI171 from Ahmedabad to London.
'We received the last signal from the aircraft at 08:08:51 UTC (shortly before 9.09am BST), just seconds after take off.
'The aircraft involved is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration VT-ANB.'
Air India Serves approximately 88 to 92 destinations—around 44 domestic and 43–48 international in ~31–37 countries. It has up to 201 aircraft, a mix of Airbus A319/A320/A320neo/A321/A321neo/A350, and Boeing 777/787.
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Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is situated in the Hansol area, about 9–10 km north of central Ahmedabad. It has four terminals and a single runway. More than 13.4million passengers use the airport every year making it the seventh busiest in India.
The Boeing Dreamliner is a family of long-haul, wide-body, twin-engine jet airliners known for its fuel efficiency, passenger comfort, and advanced technology. They carry between 242 and 330 passengers.
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