Air India Ahmedabad-London flight crash: Dreamliner explodes into hostel, more than 200 dead, dozens trapped

An Air India flight en route to London’s Gatwick Airport crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on Thursday, killing at least 200 people. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was carrying 242 people, including 217 adults, 11 children, and two infants. The aircraft went down in a residential area close to the airport, landing on the dining block of the B.J. Medical College doctors’ hostel. Many of the deceased are believed to be medical students, with rescue workers stating that bodies were still being recovered from the site.

Crash site and casualties

The crash occurred minutes after the plane departed at 1:39 PM from runway 23. Air traffic control confirmed that a “Mayday” emergency signal was sent before all communication with the aircraft ceased. The crash took place near the Meghaninagar locality. Visuals showed heavy black smoke rising and debris engulfed in flames. Emergency services, including ambulances and rescue teams, were dispatched immediately. According to officials, about 70–80% of the crash site had been cleared by evening.

#WATCH | Ahmedabad plane crash | A man at the civil hospital in Ahmedabad says, "My sister and brother-in-law are both inside, but they are not letting us go in...They were going to London...My niece is in London, and they were going to see her. She called me up from London to… pic.twitter.com/OsoNv4e31T

— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2025

Passengers and international response

Air India confirmed the flight carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief on X, calling the incident “heartbreaking beyond words.” British PM Keir Starmer called the visuals “devastating,” and the UK Foreign Office stated it was in contact with Indian authorities. King Charles is also being briefed on the developments. The British government has offered assistance and support to victims’ families.

Statements from eyewitnesses and families

“My sister-in-law was on the flight to London. An hour later, we heard about the crash,” said Poonam Patel at Ahmedabad’s government hospital. Ramila, a local resident and mother of a student, said her son was at the hostel when the plane hit. “He jumped from the second floor and has injuries, but he’s alive,” she told reporters. Visuals showed several injured being moved on stretchers to nearby hospitals.

Aircraft model and history

The Boeing 787-8 involved in the crash first flew in 2013 and joined Air India’s fleet in 2014. According to Flightradar24, this is the first crash involving this model since its commercial launch in 2011. Boeing stated it is gathering information and cooperating with authorities. Boeing’s shares dropped 6.8% in pre-market trading following news of the crash.

Rescue efforts and airline response

Ahmedabad Airport suspended all operations after the crash. Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group that operates the airport, said full support was being given to families. “We are shocked and deeply saddened. Our hearts go out to the families who have suffered an unimaginable loss,” he posted on X. Tata Group, which owns Air India, said an emergency support team has been set up and a helpline activated.

Previous crash and airline ownership

The last fatal crash involving Air India occurred in 2020, when an Air India Express Boeing 737 overshot a runway in Kozhikode, killing 21. Air India was acquired by the Tata Group in 2022 and merged with Vistara in 2024.

Rescue operations at the crash site are still ongoing, and authorities have warned that the death toll could rise further.

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