An Air India flight headed for London Gatwick with more than 240 people on board crashed in India shortly after takeoff on Thursday.
The plane plummeted into a residential area after leaving an airport in the western city of Ahmedabad, local police said.
Footage from the scene showed huge clouds of black smoke billowing from the crash site and part of the body of the Boeing 787 aircraft on a building, while other images show emergency services working to douse the wreckage and surrounding buildings.
Authorities say many people have been killed, with at least 30 bodies recovered from a building at the site of the crash, Reuters reports, with rescue workers saying more people remained trapped inside.
There were 242 people on board the flight, including 12 crew members. Air India said the passengers included 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens and one Canadian.
Both the Indian and British prime ministers said authorities were keeping them updated about the incident.
“It is heartbreaking beyond words,” Narendra Modi said on X. Sir Keir Starmer said the scenes were “devastating”.
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
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Key Points
- 53 British nationals onboard Air India flight
- At least 30 bodies retrieved so far
- Flight crashed into a hostel for doctors
- 'Horrifying tragedy’: UK political leaders react to news of crash
- Pilot issued 'mayday' call before crash
- Mapped: Location of London-bound Air India flight crash
In pic: People gather near the wreckage of Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner
12:26
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
At least 30 bodies retrieved so far
12:20
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
At least 30 bodies have been recovered from a building at the site of a plane crash in India's western city of Ahmedabad, rescue personnel at the site said.
More people were trapped inside, the rescue workers said.
'Safety must never be taken for granted' says UK Chief Inspector of Air Accidents
12:13
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Simon Calder
As news emerged of the tragedy in India, the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) was publishing its Annual Safety Review for 2024.
In the report, Crispin Orr, Chief Inspector of Air Accidents, said: “Commercial aviation remains one of the safest forms of public transport, with global accident rates continuing their long-term decline.
“Nevertheless, major accidents in Japan, Brazil, Kazakhstan, and the Republic of Korea in 2024 serve as a sobering reminder that safety must never be taken for granted. Thorough investigations into accidents and serious incidents continue to be needed to uncover remaining vulnerabilities.”
In Pics: Flight heading to Gujarat crashes into hostel for doctors
12:08
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
11 children on board Air India plane that crashed
12:07
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
At least 11 children were among the 242 people onboard the Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff this morning.
The plane with 53 Britons and 169 Indians was headed to Britain's Gatwick Airport.
The 242 people onboard included 217 adults and 11 children, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources.
What we know about the Air India to London plane crash and who was on board
11:59
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
An Air India flight bound for London has crashed with 242 people on board in western India.
The Boeing 787 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad airport in the western Indian state of Gujarat at 1.39pm local time (8.09am BST) on Thursday.
But after issuing a mayday call, it crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar just five minutes after taking off, India’s civil aviation authority confirmed.
Andy Gregory and Simon Calder have more.
Mapped: Location of London-bound Air India flight crash
11:52
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Air India and local police set up hotline number
11:49
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Air India has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information to the kin of the passengers.
Ahmedabad City Police issues emergency number 07925620359 for police emergency services
Modi says London-bound plane crash 'heartbreaking beyond words'
11:45
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has reacted to the crash of the London-bound Air India aircraft this morning.
The aircraft with 230 passengers and 12 crew members crashed near the Ahmedabad airport in Gujarat state shortly after takeoff.
Mr Modi served as the chief minister of Gujarat before becoming the prime minister of India in 2014.
"The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected," he said on X.
The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2025
In pics: Rescue teams work as smoke rises at the site where an Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad
11:41
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
'Many killed' in London-bound plane crash
11:34
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
India's federal health minister has confirmed that "many people" were killed in the crash of a London-bound plane this morning.
Jagat Prakash Nadda said: "The news of many people being killed in a plane crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is extremely tragic."
So far, Indian authorities have not released any information on the number of casualties from the plane crash near Ahmedabad airport.
"I urge all BJP [ruling Bharatiya Janata Party] workers to engage in relief and rescue operations and provide every possible assistance to the affected families," he added.
Ex-Gujarat CM on list of passengers
11:31
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani was onboard the Air India plane which crashed near the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, according to the flight's passenger list.
Mr Rupani's office told News18 channel that the former minister was severely injured in the crash. He was the 12th passenger on the list and travelling in Business Class.
Mr Rupani served as the chief minister from 2016 to 2021, before resigning ahead of the 2022 state elections.
Boeing says company working to gather information
11:25
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Boeing is working to gather information after an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with 242 people onboard crashed minutes after taking off from India's western city of Ahmedabad, a company spokesperson said.
The aircraft involved is a Boeing 787 “Dreamliner”, registration VT-ANB, which was delivered to Air India in 2014.
Gujarat CM expresses sorrow
11:23
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel expressed sorrow over the Air India flight crash outside the Ahmedabad airport this morning.
“I have instructed the officials to carry out immediate rescue and relief work and arrange for immediate treatment of the injured passengers on a war footing,” he said on X.
'Horrifying tragedy’: UK political leaders react to news of crash
11:15
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
UK political leaders have expressed their heartbreak after the Air India flight bound for London crashed shortly after takeoff.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that “the scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating”, adding he was being kept updated as the situation develops.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said it was a “heartbreaking” incident.
“My thoughts are with all those affected — especially the families of those on board, and the emergency teams responding to what appears to be a horrifying tragedy,” she said.
What is known about the aircraft?
11:13
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The aircraft involved is a Boeing 787 “Dreamliner”, registration VT-ANB, which was delivered to Air India in 2014.
Soon after it entered service in 2011, concerns over the fire risk from lithium batteries led to a temporary grounding. There is no indication at present that the crash was connected with technical issues on board the aircraft.
More than 1,000 Boeing 787 aircraft are in service with dozens of international airlines, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic – both of which have exemplary safety records.
Flight crashed into a hostel for doctors
11:12
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The London-bound Air India flight crashed into a hostel building for doctors in Meghani Nagar near the Ahmedabad airport.
Watch: Flight tracker shows moment Air India plane crashes shortly after takeoff at Ahmedabad Airport
11:05
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
In pics: Rescuers work at the site of an airplane crash in India
10:55
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
53 British nationals onboard flight that crashed in India
10:53
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
At least 53 British nationals were among the passengers of the London-bound Air India aircraft that crashed in India today.
About 169 Indian nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian national were also present on board the aircraft, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources.
All flight operations halted at Ahmedabad airport
10:45
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Flight operations at Ahmedabad airport have been temporarily suspended following the crash of a London-bound passenger flight just outside the airport.
"As a result of the Air India plane crash incident, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA), Ahmedabad, is currently not operational. All flight operations are temporarily suspended until further notice," the airport said in a statement.
Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for the latest updates before proceeding to the airport, it added.
Silence after 'mayday' call from aircraft, says aviation watchdog
10:40
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The Air India aircraft departed at 1.39pm (local time) from runway 23 of the Ahmedabad airport, India's aviation watchdog said.
It gave a "Mayday" call, signalling an emergency, but thereafter no there was no response from the aircraft, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation added.
Flightradar24 also said that it received the last signal from the aircraft seconds after it took off.
The plane fell to the ground outside the airport perimeter immediately after departure, with heavy black smoke seen rising from the crash site, the watchdog added.
Flight was scheduled to land at 6.25pm, says Gatwick airport
10:33
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
London Gatwick airport this morning said the aircraft, which crashed near the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, was due to land at the UK airport at 6.25pm.
It said on X that more information on the crash would follow.
In pic: Firefighters douse flames after a plane crash in a civilian area in Gujarat
10:30
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Flight lost signal 'seconds after leaving runway'
10:28
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The Air India Flight AI171, which crashed near Ahmedabad airport, lost signal "seconds after leaving the runway", according to flight tracking service Flightradar24.
"We are following reports of a crash of Air India flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London. We received the last signal from the aircraft at 08:08:51 UTC, just seconds after takeoff," it said on X.
Watch: Air India plane crashes shortly after takeoff at Ahmedabad Airport
10:24
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Passenger plane heading to London crashes in India
10:24
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The incident occurred near Ahmedabad airport in the western Indian state of Gujarat. Heavy plumes of smoke were visible from Dharpur near the Meghaninagar area, according to local media reports.
Fire and emergency response teams have rushed to the spot. Authorities are yet to confirm the cause of the crash.
Namita Singh reports.
