Air India Plane Crash: Airline Confirms 241 Fatalities, 1 Passenger Survives

A London-bound Air India passenger aircraft crashed near Ahmedabad airport, the airline confirmed.

Photo: PTI

In a statement issued in the early hours of Friday, 13 June, Air India confirmed that 241 passengers were killed in the crash of the London-bound flight near Ahmedabad airport, with only one survivor. The flight had crashed just minutes after takeoff.

"Air India confirms that flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on 12 June 2025, was involved in an accident. The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital," the airline said.

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also killed in the crash.

The sole survivor of the tragic incident has been identified as Ramesh Vishwashkumar, a 40-year-old British national.

An injured being taken for treatment after theLondon-bound Air India plane crashed moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport.

Emergency services personnel at the spot after the London-bound Air India plane crashed moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport.

Firefighters at the spot after a London-bound Air India plane crashed moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport.

Firefighting team at the spot after an Air India plane crashed moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport.

Injured being taken on a stretcher at a hospital in Ahmedabad airport, Thursday, 12 June 2025.

Rescue operation underway after an Air India plane crashed in Meghaninagar area, near Ahmedabad airport, Thursday, 12 June 2025.

Rescue operation underway after an Air India plane crashed in Meghaninagar area, near Ahmedabad airport, Thursday, 12 June 2025.

Rescue operation underway after an Air India plane crashed in Meghaninagar area, near Ahmedabad airport, Thursday, 12 June 2025.

Rescue operation underway after an Air India plane crashed in Meghaninagar area, near Ahmedabad airport, Thursday, 12 June 2025.

Rescue operation underway after an Air India plane crashed in Meghaninagar area, near Ahmedabad airport, Thursday, 12 June 2025.

Rescue operation underway after an Air India plane crashed in Meghaninagar area, near Ahmedabad airport, Thursday, 12 June 2025.

Rescue operation underway after an Air India plane crashed in Meghaninagar area, near Ahmedabad airport, Thursday, 12 June 2025.

The aircraft crashed on a doctors' hostel at BJ Medical College outside the perimeter of the airport minutes after taking off, where many undergraduate MBBS students are also feared dead.

The passengers and affected hostel residents were taken to several nearby hospitals, including Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Family members rushed to the hospitals in search of their loved ones, as many continue to struggle to identify the bodies.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu visited the crash site on Thursday.

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What We Know About the Crash

The aircraft was carrying 2 pilots, 10 cabin crew members, and 230 passengers. It was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with First Officer Clive Kundar as co-pilot. Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 1 Canadian national, and 7 Portuguese nationals.

According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1:39 pm from runway 23. It made a 'MAYDAY' call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to any further calls made by ATC. After takeoff, the flight crashed on the ground outside the airport perimeter.

"The plane caught fire after crashing, and fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the blaze," news agency PTI quoted fire officer Jayesh Khadia as saying.

Soon after the crash, the Ahmedabad airport suspended services for a few hours before resuming them later in the evening.

The Rescue Operations

Indian Army teams comprising approximately 130 personnel have been deployed to assist civil administration in the ongoing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts following the crash, it said.

The Indian Army’s response includes engineering teams with JCBs for debris clearance, medical teams comprising doctors and paramedics, Quick Action Teams (QATs), fire-fighting assets with fire extinguishers and water bowsers, and provost staff for site management. The Military Hospital has also been placed on standby.

Several teams of NDRF and Gujarat police are also on the ground assisting in the operations.

"A special team of caregivers from Air India has arrived in Ahmedabad to provide support to our teams on ground. We are working with local authorities to provide necessary assistance and are extending full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident," the airline said in a statement on Thursday evening.

"We are on highest alert. 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," Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said.

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel took to social media to express his concern.

"I have instructed officials to immediately begin rescue and relief operations at the accident site and to arrange prompt medical treatment for the injured passengers on a war footing. I have also directed the creation of a green corridor to transport the injured to hospitals and to ensure that all necessary treatment facilities are in place as a priority," he said.

He added that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also spoken to him and assured full support from the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) teams and the Central Government for the rescue and relief operations.

Authorities Set Up DNA Testing Centres to Identify Victims

Speaking to the media, Dhananjay Dwivedi, Additional Chief Secretary, Gujarat Health and Family Welfare Department informed that DNA testing centres have been set up to identify the victims of the crash.

"Ahmedabad Civil Hospital students' hostel, staff quarters and other residential areas are located in the area where the plane crashed. The residents of that area were also injured. About 50 injured people have been brought to Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad. They are being provided the best treatment. They are serious but stable. DNA testing arrangements have been made at BJ Medical, so families and close ones of the flight passengers, especially their parents and children, are requested to submit their samples at the location," he said.

What Air India and Boeing Have Said

Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran issued a statement offering condolences and assuring assistance.

"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. An emergency centre has been activated and support team have been set up for families seeking information," he said.

As questions remerge over the safety of Boeing aircrafts, the aerospace company issued a statement following the crash on Thursday.

"We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders, and all affected," the company said.