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On Thursday, June 12, 2025, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The incident occurred around 1:50 PM local time in the Meghaninagar residential area, triggering a massive emergency response. The flight was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
According to eyewitnesses, the aircraft descended rapidly shortly after takeoff and crashed near the Ghoda Camp area in Meghaninagar. Videos from the crash site show thick grey smoke and flames visible from miles away. Emergency services, including fire brigades and ambulances, rushed to the scene, with several injured individuals being transported to nearby hospitals. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of casualties.
Air India issued a statement saying, “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest.” The Gujarat Police have sealed off all roads leading to the crash site, and rescue operations are ongoing.
India’s Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken with Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Home Minister, and Police Commissioner, assuring full support from the central government. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the site to oversee the situation and issued urgent directives for the treatment of the injured.
This crash marks the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, an aircraft model introduced in 2009 with no prior major crash record. According to Flightradar24, the aircraft reached a maximum altitude of 625 feet before descending at a rate of 475 feet per minute.
The incident has led to a nearly 7% drop in Boeing’s share price in pre-market trading. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Further details, including the passenger list and casualty figures, are awaited as rescue efforts continue.
AI/MR
