Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 — A major aviation tragedy unfolded on Thursday evening when Air India Flight AI-171, enrout from Ahmedabad to London, crashed during take-off at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft, a Boeing 727 twin jet, was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members at the time of the accident.
The Gujarat State Police Control Room confirmed that the plane lost control shortly after take-off and rammed into a nearby doctors’ hostel. Eyewitnesses reported thick plumes of smoke rising from the crash site as emergency services rushed to the scene.
In a glimmer of hope amidst the devastation, Ahmedabad Police confirmed that one survivor has been found from the wreckage. Rescue operations continue as authorities fear the death toll could be substantial.
Large-Scale Rescue and Relief Efforts Underway
Three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) from Gandhinagar, along with additional teams from Vadodara, have been deployed—totalling over 180 personnel. Fire tenders and ambulances remain stationed at the scene, and medical facilities across the city have been put on high alert.
The Ahmedabad Police has released a list of 25 injured individuals, many of whom have been taken to Civil Hospital and nearby medical centres for urgent care. The hostel and adjacent staff quarters also reportedly sustained damage.
Government Officials On Site
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and other senior state officials visited the crash site to oversee rescue operations.
Minister Kinjarapu assured the public of a “fair and thorough investigation” into the crash and said that technical teams from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India were already at work examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
International Reactions and Support
The tragedy has reverberated internationally, particularly in the United Kingdom, as 53 British nationals were on board the ill-fated flight. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating his “thoughts are with the passengers and their families.”
The Embassy of India in Portugal, which services part of Europe, has issued a dedicated helpline for families affected by the crash. Efforts are being made to identify the deceased and notify next of kin.
National Leaders React
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, deeply affected by the tragedy in his home state, called the incident “heart-breaking beyond words” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
President of India Draupadi Murmu deeply distressed on the tragic accident.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also expressed his condolences and urged Congress workers to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts on the ground.
Airport Operations Resume
Despite the scale of the disaster, the Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that flight operations at Ahmedabad airport resumed from 4:50 PM IST with heightened safety measures in place.
As investigations continue and the nation mourns the tragic loss of life, more updates are expected in the coming hours. The priority remains the identification of victims, medical care for the injured, and a detailed probe into what led to the catastrophic crash.
Helpline Numbers for Families:
Families in India with concerns should call Air India on 1800 5691 444. For those outside India, call the British Foreign Office on 020 7008 5000
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for further updates.
