An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed in Ahmedabad, India, carrying 242 passengers, resulting in significant casualties and emergency response efforts. The incident has led to renewed scrutiny of Boeing's safety record amid previous operational issues.
Tragedy Strikes as Air India Flight Crashes in Ahmedabad
Tragedy Strikes as Air India Flight Crashes in Ahmedabad
An Air India passenger plane crashes shortly after takeoff, sparking a catastrophic emergency in western India.
June 12, 2025, 7:31 a.m. ET—In a heartbreaking tragedy, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India. The plane was en route to London Gatwick Airport and had 242 individuals onboard, including passengers and crew members. According to India's health minister, there have been numerous fatalities, although exact numbers remain unconfirmed.
Flight 171 departed at approximately 1:40 p.m. local time and was scheduled to arrive in London at 6:25 p.m. The passenger list included 169 Indian citizens, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. Following the crash, injured survivors were transported to nearby hospitals, and the airport suspended all flight operations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow regarding the tragic event, stating, “the tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us.” Officials from Air India, including company chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran, reiterated their commitment to providing aid to those affected and supporting emergency teams on-site.
The aircraft encountered difficulties upon its descent, crashing near a local medical college and causing damage to nearby residential structures. Onlookers reported chaotic scenes as firefighters battled the flames and rescue efforts were mobilized. Initial reports indicate that the crash has had a significant impact on local students, with confirmed casualties among those in a dining facility at the medical college during the incident.
Internationally, the British government is coordinating with Indian authorities to establish the facts surrounding the crash, with a dedicated hotline for families concerned about their relatives onboard. Prime Minister Keir Starmer referred to the events as “devastating” and stressed the need for urgent information.
The incident raises renewed concerns about Boeing's safety, particularly for the 787 model, which has faced operational issues in the past but previously had no recorded fatalities. Boeing acknowledged the situation, revealing they were working to gather more details.
Efforts to gather more information are ongoing as the aftermath of this tragedy remains uncertain.
Flight 171 departed at approximately 1:40 p.m. local time and was scheduled to arrive in London at 6:25 p.m. The passenger list included 169 Indian citizens, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. Following the crash, injured survivors were transported to nearby hospitals, and the airport suspended all flight operations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow regarding the tragic event, stating, “the tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us.” Officials from Air India, including company chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran, reiterated their commitment to providing aid to those affected and supporting emergency teams on-site.
The aircraft encountered difficulties upon its descent, crashing near a local medical college and causing damage to nearby residential structures. Onlookers reported chaotic scenes as firefighters battled the flames and rescue efforts were mobilized. Initial reports indicate that the crash has had a significant impact on local students, with confirmed casualties among those in a dining facility at the medical college during the incident.
Internationally, the British government is coordinating with Indian authorities to establish the facts surrounding the crash, with a dedicated hotline for families concerned about their relatives onboard. Prime Minister Keir Starmer referred to the events as “devastating” and stressed the need for urgent information.
The incident raises renewed concerns about Boeing's safety, particularly for the 787 model, which has faced operational issues in the past but previously had no recorded fatalities. Boeing acknowledged the situation, revealing they were working to gather more details.
Efforts to gather more information are ongoing as the aftermath of this tragedy remains uncertain.
