An Air India Boeing Dreamliner en route to London crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, in what could become one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in nearly 30 years.
The aircraft, carrying 242 people, went down just minutes after departing from runway 23 at 1:39 pm, according to details released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The crash occurred within five minutes of takeoff.
More than 200 people have been found dead at the crash site of a Boeing Co. 787 Dreamliner operated by Air India that was bound for London, according to police officials.
“We have found 204 bodies, we are looking for more,” Police Commissioner G.S. Malik told Bloomberg. “There is a chance that there may be survivors. Forty-one injured are being treated. These include people who were staying in the residential area.”
The aircraft entered a slow descent shortly after takeoff, with its landing gear still extended, before erupting into a fireball on impact. The crash occurred in a densely populated residential zone, raising fears of a higher death toll.
According to Flightradar24 data, the twin-engine Boeing Dreamliner had reached an altitude of just 625 feet at a speed of 174 knots (approximately 200 miles per hour) before crashing.
Air India plane crash: June 12, 2025 | 7:00 PM IST 204 bodies found till now
“We have found 204 bodies, we are looking for more,” Police Commissioner GS Malik was quoted in a Bloomberg report.
“There is a chance that there may be survivors. Forty-one injured are being treated. These include people who were staying in the residential area.”
Plane crash in Ahmedabad: June 12, 2025 | 6:40 PM IST Canadian PM issues statement
Devastated to learn of the crash of a London-bound Air India plane in Ahmedabad, carrying 242 passengers — including one Canadian. My thoughts are with the loved ones of everyone on board.
Canada’s transportation officials are in close contact with counterparts
Air India plane crash: June 12, 2025 | 6:35 PM IST Air India Issues Hotline for Foreign Nationals
Air India has released additional helpline numbers to assist families of those on board the London-bound flight that crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on Thursday.
The airline confirmed that the flight was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals.
“In addition to the dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444, we have added another hotline number for foreign nationals: +91 8062779200,” Air India said in a statement.
Authorities are continuing rescue and identification efforts at the crash site, which is located in the Meghaninagar area near the airport, where the aircraft struck the residential quarters of BJ Medical College doctors.
June 12, 2025 | 6:00 PM IST Police issue names of those injured due to the crash
પ્લેન ક્રેશની દુર્ઘટનામાં ઘવાયેલાઓની યાદી
List of injured in plane crash in Ahmedabad
June 12, 2025 | 5:30 PM IST Plane crashed into medical college
The Air India flight bound for London that crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on Thursday struck the residential quarters of doctors from BJ Medical College in the city’s Meghaninagar area, eyewitnesses said.
The aircraft, which lost altitude within minutes of departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 PM, caused severe structural damage to multiple buildings in the college’s residential complex, located near the airport.
Eyewitnesses reported several injuries among residents in the quarters, although there is no official confirmation yet regarding the number of casualties on the ground. Emergency responders are on-site, and rescue operations are ongoing.
The crash has resulted in the suspension of all flight operations at the airport. Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the situation develops.
June 12, 2025 | 5:10 PM IST 100 bodies brought to the hospital
More than 100 bodies have reportedly been brought to a hospital in Ahmedabad following the crash of an Air India flight shortly after take-off on Thursday, according to local police quoted by Reuters.
The flight, which departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 PM en route to London Gatwick, crashed within minutes of take-off with 242 people on board, including two pilots and ten cabin crew members.
Rescue and recovery operations are ongoing. Authorities have not yet confirmed the total number of casualties, but the toll is expected to rise. All flight operations at the airport have been suspended until further notice.
Further details are awaited as emergency services continue to respond to the disaster.
June 12, 2025 | 4:45 PM IST
Emirates Airlines said it is “monitoring the situation in the region closely” but has not made any changes to its operations for now.
Meanwhile, IndiGo has issued an advisory acknowledging the disruption caused by runway restrictions and said affected passengers could rebook or claim a full refund.
“Our thoughts are with the families of those affected,” IndiGo stated, adding that its teams are on standby to assist customers during this difficult time.
June 12, 2025 | 4:30 PM IST
An IndiGo flight en route to Ahmedabad was forced to return to Kolkata shortly after take-off on Thursday, following the closure of Ahmedabad airport in the wake of a fatal Air India crash.
Flight 6E-318, which took off from Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at 1:49 PM with 179 passengers on board, was turned back mid-air, an Airports Authority of India (AAI) spokesperson confirmed.
The aircraft had departed from stand number 53 and returned to Kolkata at approximately 2:52 PM.
The diversion was prompted by the immediate suspension of operations at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport after the Air India flight crashed just minutes after departure.
No disruptions were reported during the return, and all passengers disembarked safely.
Further arrangements for the affected passengers are expected to be announced by the airline.
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