NEW DELHI – An Air India plane en route to London with more than 240 passengers onboard crashed in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff on Thursday (June 12).
The State Police Control Room said The aircraft crashed near Forensic Cross Road in Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Police and fire brigade teams rushed to the scene.
According to the BBC, Air India said that the incident involved a flight bound for London Gatwick airport.
The plane reportedly crashed at a residential area.
According to the Times of India, the Air India aircraft was a Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft, with the capacity of 300 passengers.
Meanwhile, BBC reported India’s aviation minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said that the country is “on the highest alert” as three rescue teams that consist of 90 personnel were mobilised to the crash site from Gandhinagar.
He said that he is monitoring the situation and has directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action.
“Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families,” he was quoted as saying.
A green corridor was established to transport injured passengers for treatment and to hospitals.
The British broadcaster also reported that a statement from India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), said that the plane crashed immediately after taking off from Ahmedabad.
DGCA also said that the 242 people on board the plane included two pilots and 10 cabin crew members, with the captain having 8,200 hours of flying experience, while the co-pilot had 1,100 hours of flying experience.
“It gave a mayday call to air traffic control, but thereafter, no response was given by the aircraft. After departure, the plane crashed outside the airport perimeter,” BBC quoted DGCA as saying in the statement.
Meanwhile, Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel said in a posting on X (formerly Twitter) that he is deeply saddened by the accident and has instructed the officials to take immediate rescue and relief operations in the accident and to make arrangements on a war footing for immediate treatment of the injured passengers.
Reuters reported that at least 30 people were killed, which cited authorities. Local police officers said it crashed in a residential area near the airport.
“The building on which it has crashed is a doctors’ hostel… we have cleared almost 70% to 80% of the area and will clear the rest soon,” Reuters quoted a senior police officer as telling the reporters. – June 12, 2025