A tragic scene unfolded in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Thursday, June 12, when Air India Flight AI171 crashed into a residential area just five minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA), killing many and injuring scores more.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, headed for London Gatwick, went down at 1:43 PM local time, slamming into the densely populated Meghani Nagar neighbourhood and erupting into flames.
The aircraft had taken off from runway 23 at 1:39 PM carrying 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
Air Traffic Control received a mayday call from the cockpit shortly after takeoff, but lost contact soon after.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the plane crashed just outside the airport perimeter, setting off a massive explosion that sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
Video footage captured the terrifying moment the jet hit the ground and burst into a fireball.
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had logged 8,200 flight hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, with 1,100 hours, were at the controls.
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The response was immediate. Seven fire engines and three teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), around 90 personnel raced to the scene.
Rescue efforts were made difficult by the plane’s full fuel tank, intended for the long-haul flight, which fed the raging blaze. Authorities quickly sealed off access roads, and SVPIA was shut down indefinitely.
Air India confirmed the incident in a public statement:
“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 on airindia.com and our X handle.”
Data from FlightRadar showed the plane’s last recorded signal at 08:08:51 UTC, just seconds after takeoff, at an altitude of about 625 feet.
This crash is believed to be the first involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, according to the Aviation Safety Network.
While no official casualty figures have been confirmed, early reports suggest more than 200 people may have died in the disaster.
As rescue operations continue through the wreckage, officials say their focus remains on supporting affected families and uncovering what caused the fatal crash. More information is expected in the coming hours.