London-Bound Plane Goes Down Near Airport, Rescue Efforts Underway
Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 – A catastrophic accident unfolded this afternoon when Air India Flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, plummeted into a residential area near Meghani Nagar, sparking a massive fire and sending plumes of black smoke into the sky.
The flight took off at approximately 1:38 p.m. local time and lost contact with air traffic control minutes later, following a distress call. The aircraft, loaded with fuel for its transcontinental journey, crashed into a doctors’ hostel, causing extensive damage and igniting fears of significant loss of life. Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud explosion, followed by chaos as emergency responders rushed to the scene.
Rescue operations are in full swing, with fire brigades, ambulances, and National Disaster Response Force teams battling dense smoke to reach survivors. Several injured individuals have been transported to nearby hospitals, and a green corridor has been established to expedite medical evacuations. Authorities have sealed off roads leading to the crash site, and the airport has suspended all operations until further notice.
The passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national, alongside 12 crew members. The cause of the crash remains unknown, with India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau launching an immediate probe. Clear weather conditions at the time suggest that environmental factors were unlikely to have played a role.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief, stating, “This tragedy has left the nation in mourning. My heart goes out to the families affected, and we are committed to providing all necessary support.” Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu is overseeing the response, coordinating with aviation and emergency agencies to ensure swift action.
The crash marks the first loss of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its introduction and has sent shockwaves through the global aviation community. Air India has set up a hotline for families seeking information and pledged full cooperation with investigators. As the nation grapples with the scale of the disaster, the focus remains on rescue efforts and supporting those impacted by this devastating event.
