Air India Flight Crash: Facts, Timeline & What Happened

Tragedy Strikes: Air India Flight to London Crashes After Takeoff From Ahmedabad – What We Know So Far

A major aviation tragedy unfolded on Thursday as an Air India passenger flight bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in western India.

The flight, AI171, took off at 13:39 local time and was scheduled to land at London Gatwick at 18:25 BST. However, just moments after takeoff, tragedy struck.

What Happened?

According to flight tracking data from FlightRadar24, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner lost signal within a minute of takeoff, with the aircraft reaching only 625 feet in altitude before disappearing from radar. A mayday call was reportedly issued to air traffic control, but there was no response from the aircraft after that.

The plane crashed into a densely populated area—Meghani Nagar—reportedly hitting a doctors’ hostel. Eyewitness footage showed thick plumes of black smoke rising from the scene, while emergency responders rushed in for rescue and firefighting operations.

BBC’s Roxy Gagdekar, reporting from Ahmedabad, described chaotic and heart-wrenching scenes, with locals and rescue teams working together to save lives. Casualty figures have not yet been officially confirmed.

Who Was on Board?

Air India confirmed there were 242 people on board, including:

169 Indian nationals

53 British nationals

7 Portuguese nationals

1 Canadian national

The Dreamliner had a total capacity of 256 seats. Injured passengers are being rushed to nearby hospitals, and an emergency control centre has been activated to assist families and monitor the situation closely.

Reactions from India and the UK

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow, saying he was "stunned and saddened" by the tragic event. "It is heartbreaking beyond words," he posted on X, assuring the public that officials were actively coordinating relief operations.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the crash “devastating” and affirmed that updates were being closely monitored. Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed that the UK is working with Indian authorities to assess the situation and offer support to British nationals affected. King Charles has also been briefed on the situation.

Current Situation

All operations at Ahmedabad Airport have been suspended until further notice. Rescue and relief efforts continue on a war footing, with both national and international authorities coordinating closely.