On a sunny afternoon in Ahmedabad, a routine flight turned into a tragedy that shook India and the world.
An Air India plane, carrying 242 people, crashed just minutes after leaving the city’s airport.
The incident has left families waiting for news and authorities scrambling to understand what went wrong. This is the story of a day that changed many lives forever.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash: What Happened?
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. local time.
The flight was heading to London’s Gatwick Airport, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
Among them were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian.
Just five minutes after takeoff, the plane sent a mayday call to air traffic control. Moments later, it crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar, near the airport.
Videos from the scene showed thick black smoke rising into the sky. Debris from the plane was scattered across the area, and flames engulfed parts of the crash site.
Emergency teams, including firefighters and ambulances, rushed to the scene. The airport was shut down, and all flights were stopped until further notice.
Rescue workers are still searching for survivors, but officials have not yet confirmed how many people were injured or killed.
The Response and Investigation
What caused the Ahmedabad plane crash on June 12, 2025?
India’s government acted quickly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered immediate rescue operations, and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu traveled to Ahmedabad to oversee the response.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating the crash, and Boeing, the plane’s manufacturer, has offered technical support. Air India set up a hotline (1800 5691 444) for families seeking information about their loved ones.
The crash has raised questions about aviation safety in India. The pilots, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar, had 8,200 and 1,100 hours of flying experience, respectively.
Weather conditions were clear, with no signs of storms or strong winds. Some experts wonder if a technical issue with the plane caused the crash, but it’s too early to know for sure.
A Community in Mourning
The crash has left a deep impact on Ahmedabad and beyond. Families of passengers, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was on the flight, are waiting anxiously for updates.
Leaders from India and the United Kingdom have expressed their sadness. The UK government promised to support British families affected by the tragedy.
This incident is a rare event in India, where air travel is generally safe. The last major crash was in 2010, when an Air India Express plane overshot the runway in Mangalore, killing 158 people.
The Ahmedabad crash is the first time a Boeing 787 Dreamliner has crashed, making it a significant event for the aviation industry.
As rescue efforts continue, the world watches and hopes for answers. The people of Ahmedabad are coming together to support those affected, showing strength in a time of sorrow.
