An Air India plane with 242 people on board, bound for London Gatwick Airport in United Kingdom (UK) has crashed shortly after takeoff near Ahmedabad International Airport.
Air India confirmed the incident in a statement on X.
It wrote, “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest.”
While the airline has yet to speak on casualties, the crash reportedly occurred moments after takeoff, with images and videos circulating online showing burning debris and thick black smoke rising into the sky near the airport.
Flight Radar, a flight-tracking website, reported that the signal from the plane was lost seconds after take-off.
It noted that the flight was scheduled to fly from Ahmedabad International Airport to London Gatwick Airport at 09:50 local time.
Its scheduled arrival time was 18:25 local time. The signal was lost at 10:08 local time at 625 feet, less than a minute after take-off.
According to Gatwick Airport, the plane travelling from Ahmedabad was due to land at 18:25pm UK time.
It 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.”
Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, India’s aviation minister, assured the public that officials are on the highest alert as rescue teams have been mobilised.
He said, “We are on the 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. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.”
