An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI171, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025, from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The aircraft, destined for London Gatwick, plunged into the nearby Meghana Nagar residential area, causing a massive explosion and thick black smoke over the neighborhood.
What Happened in the Sky?
The plane took off around 1:38 PM. Just a few minutes later, something went wrong. The pilots sent a Mayday signal, which is a call for emergency help. Then, the plane suddenly started going down. It crashed into houses in Meghani Nagar and caused a huge explosion. A big fire broke out, and black smoke covered the sky.
People living nearby heard a loud noise and saw flames. Some houses caught fire. Emergency teams rushed to the site quickly.
How Many People Were on the Plane?
The flight had 242 people on board. That included:
- 230 passengers
- 12 crew members
The passengers were from different countries:
- 169 were Indian
- 53 were British
- Others were from Portugal and Canada
There were also some tourists and business travelers going to London. One of the pilots was Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had many years of flying experience.
Emergency Help Arrived Fast
As soon as the crash happened, firefighters, ambulances, police, and rescue teams arrived. The government also sent special rescue teams (NDRF) to help. Air india crash this make everyone shock. Roads near the crash site were closed, and flights at the Ahmedabad airport were stopped for safety reasons.
The injured were taken to nearby hospitals. A special “green corridor” was made to move ambulances faster.
What Did the Leaders Say?
Top Indian leaders spoke about the tragedy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel all shared their sadness. They promised that help would be given quickly to the victims and their families.
The Chairman of Air India, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, also gave his condolences. Air India started an emergency helpline to give updates to families.
From outside India, the UK Prime Minister and other international leaders also expressed sadness. They are helping their citizens who were on the flight.
Why Did the Plane Crash? Experts Begin Investigation
At this moment, the exact reason for the plane crash is still unknown. Experts from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are working day and night to find the cause. They have started a full investigation, and it may take weeks or even months to get the final report.
The investigation team has already found the black box and the cockpit voice recorder, which are two of the most important tools in airplane crash investigations. These devices will give detailed information about the last few minutes of the flight, including the plane’s speed, altitude, engine performance, and what the pilots were saying before the crash. Breaking News
Some reports say the aircraft may have lost power or faced a technical failure, but this has not been confirmed. Experts will also check if there was a bird strike, fuel leak, or any human error involved. They are also looking at weather conditions during takeoff.
How the Crash Affected Flights and the Ahmedabad Airport
After the plane crashed, there was immediate panic and confusion at the airport.Airport authorities shut down the runway to ensure emergency teams could respond swiftly. As a result, they delayed or canceled all other flights for the day. They instructed travelers waiting at the airport to leave and prohibited any new flights from taking off or landing. They diverted many incoming flights bound for Ahmedabad to other airports such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Jaipur—and even sent some flights back to their points of origin. Airlines had to rebook hundreds of passengers and make special arrangements for stranded travelers.
The airport terminal was filled with worried passengers, crying relatives, and police officers trying to maintain calm. Food counters and hotels near the airport became overcrowded as people waited for updates.Airport authorities said it may take several days for full services to resume.
Shock and Sadness All Over the Country
This crash has left the whole of India in deep sadness. People everywhere are heartbroken, especially because the crash happened in a crowded area and involved so many lives.
Social media is flooded with emotional messages, prayers, and condolences. News channels are showing heartbreaking videos of burning buildings, broken aircraft parts, and crying relatives. People living near the crash site say they are still in shock.
Helping the Victims and Families
The government has announced compensation for the victims’ families. Medical teams are treating the injured, while mental health counselors are arriving to support those affected by shock and grief. Authorities are also carefully cleaning the crash site to ensure safety and facilitate further investigation. Officials are trying to recover all bodies and identify them so families can get closure.
A Painful Day That Will Never Be Forgotten
This accident is one of the worst air crashes in India in recent years. It has left many families heartbroken. As rescue work continues and investigations go on, the entire country is mourning this tragedy.Everyone hopes that by learning from this, future accidents can be prevented. The world stands with the victims and their families during this painful time.
