A London-bound Air India flight with 242 people on board crashed near Ahmedabad airport in Gujarat this afternoon. According to reports, the Boeing 787 aircraft issued a mayday call to Air Traffic Control just minutes after take-off. However, the plane went silent shortly thereafter and crashed within minutes in a residential area near the airport. As per reports, of the 242 people on board, 230 were passengers, along with ten crew members and two pilots. Among the passengers, 169 were Indian nationals and 53 were British. There were also seven Portuguese and one Canadian citizen on the flight. At the time of writing, relief and rescue operations were still underway.
PM calls plane crash ‘heartbreaking’
PM Modi has called the Air India plane crash ‘heartbreaking.’ In a post on X PM 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 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
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also called the crash devastating.
The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 12, 2025
I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.
N Chandrasekaran, the Chairman of Tata Sons and Air India, confirmed the news in a social media post. He also announced that an emergency centre had been activated and support team had been set up for families seeking information.
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.
— Tata Group (@TataCompanies) June 12, 2025
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