Air India airplane crashes in Ahmedabad; no survivors reported from Boeing 787-8 with 242 individuals on board

An Air India passenger airplane carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed within the western Indian metropolis of Ahmedabad on Thursday, quickly after departing for London’s Gatwick airport, the airline and officers stated. A police official informed The Related Press there have been no recognized survivors from the airplane, and there have been additionally probably casualties on the bottom because the airplane careened into buildings.

“Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was concerned in an accident immediately after take-off,” Air India stated in a press release posted on social media.

The airline stated that the airplane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, departed at 1:38 p.m. native time carrying 242 individuals. 

“Of those, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian nationwide and seven Portuguese nationals. The injured are being taken to the closest hospitals,” Air India stated.

Gatwick Airport confirmed in a press release that flight AI171 had “crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport immediately.” The airport stated the airplane had been attributable to land at Gatwick, which is simply south of London, at 6:25 p.m. native time (1:25 p.m. Japanese). 

“It seems there aren’t any survivors within the airplane crash,” the AP quoted Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik as saying. “Because the airplane has fallen in a residential space which additionally had places of work, some locals would have additionally died.” 

He informed the AP that the “precise figures on casualties” have been nonetheless being decided. 

A spokesperson for Boeing informed CBS Information the corporate was “conscious of preliminary studies” and “working to collect extra info.” The incident seems to be the primary of its form for the Dreamliner, based on Boeing’s April 2025 statistical abstract of incidents involving its plane.

Native media reported the airplane had crashed right into a constructing housing medical college students. There have been studies of greater than 170 fatalities, however no quick affirmation from authorities.

Unverified video shared on-line by Indian community NDTV purportedly confirmed the passenger jet flying low over buildings earlier than disappearing behind them. There may be then a big explosion. Within the unverified video, no fireplace or explosion will be seen on the plane earlier than it disappears.

The top of India’s Directorate Basic of Civil Aviation, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, informed The Related Press that flight AI171 crashed 5 minutes after taking off. Stay flight monitoring web site Flight Radar stated a last sign was acquired from Flight AI171 simply seconds after it took off. The flight path on Flight Radar confirmed the plane touring southwest from the airport a brief distance earlier than the trail stopped, and the location stated preliminary information confirmed the plane reached a most barometric altitude of 625 toes earlier than it began to descend.

India’s Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu stated in a press release posted on social media that he was “shocked and devastated to be taught concerning the flight crash in Ahmedabad.”

Kinjarapu stated officers have been “on highest alert” and that he was “personally monitoring this case” and had “directed all aviation and emergency response companies to take swift and coordinated motion.”

“Rescue groups have been mobilized, and all efforts are being made to make sure medical support and aid help are being rushed to the location,” Kinjarapu stated.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated “the tragedy in Ahmedabad has surprised and saddened us. It’s heartbreaking past phrases. On this unhappy hour, my ideas are with everybody affected by it. Have been in contact with Ministers and authorities who’re working to help these affected.”

“The scenes rising of a London-bound airplane carrying many British nationals crashing within the Indian metropolis of Ahmedabad are devastating,” U.Okay. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated in a press release.