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Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad Kills at Least 170, Leaders Express Grief
Ahmedabad, India – An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The London-bound flight, AI171, carried 242 passengers and crew. At least 170 people are feared dead, with rescue operations ongoing.
The plane crashed in the Meghani Nagar residential area at 1:43 p.m. local time. It issued a MAYDAY call seconds after takeoff. Flightradar24 reported the aircraft lost signal at 625 feet. Part of the wreckage landed on a doctors’ hostel, causing significant damage.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the tragedy “heartbreaking beyond words.” He said, “My thoughts are with everyone affected.” Modi spoke with Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu to oversee rescue efforts. Naidu and Home Minister Amit Shah are en route to Ahmedabad.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the crash as “devastating.” He noted 53 British nationals were on board. “My thoughts are with the passengers and their families,” Starmer said. King Charles III is being kept updated, Buckingham Palace confirmed.
The passenger list included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was reportedly on board and is severely injured.
Air India confirmed the incident and set up a hotline (1800 5691 444). “We are ascertaining details,” the airline stated. The Tata Group, Air India’s owner, expressed “profound sorrow.” Chairman N Chandrasekaran offered condolences.
Emergency services, including six National Disaster Response Force teams, are at the scene. Over 30 bodies have been recovered, with more trapped in debris. Hospitals are treating the injured.
The crash is the first for a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, launched in 2011. Boeing shares fell 7% in pre-market trading. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will probe the cause.
Ahmedabad airport suspended operations. Indian Railways deployed Vande Bharat trains to assist stranded passengers. Global leaders, including Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France’s Thierry Mathou, expressed condolences.
The nation mourns as authorities work to support victims’ families and investigate the disaster.
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