One survivor confirmed as British national, police say
In a significant development, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik told Indian news agency ANI that one person has survived the crash of Air India Flight AI171.
The survivor, seated in 11A, has been identified as British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, according to the passenger manifest shared by authorities. Indian media outlets report that Mr. Ramesh spoke briefly from his hospital bed, saying:
“Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.”
Commissioner Malik said the survivor “has been in the hospital and is under treatment.” The confirmation comes after officials previously stated there “appeared to be no survivors.” Search and rescue operations are continuing at the crash site, where over 200 bodies have been recovered.
Police report 204 bodies recovered, five killed on the ground
According to new information shared with AFP and NDTV, the Ahmedabad police commissioner said that 204 bodies have been recovered from the crash site so far, and 41 injured people have been taken to the hospital. At least five civilians caught in the crash zone were killed. Earlier, the official had stated that there “appeared to be no survivors” among passengers.
No apparent survivor at crash site, police say
India’s Minister for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, has said there are reports of 105 casualties following the crash of Air India Flight AI171, which went down shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick.
“We have heard there is 105 casualties. We have not given a statement about it,” Mohol stated, speaking to the local media. “First of all, the priority is that we have to save as many people as possible.”
Mohol added that a recovery operation is underway at the crash site, but cautioned that “it will take some time” before further details can be confirmed.
Meanwhile, Agence France-Presse and the Associated Press report that the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner has said there “appears to be no survivors” from the aircraft. The police also confirmed casualties on the ground, as the aircraft came down on a medical hostel in a densely populated area near the airport perimeter.
Official statements by Modi and Starmer
The crash of Air India Flight AI171 has prompted reactions from global leaders. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a statement on social media:
“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.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also responded, as the flight was bound for London and carried a significant number of British nationals:
“The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating. I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.”
Casualties and nationalities on board
While the final toll is unconfirmed, authorities have confirmed that at least several occupants were injured and taken to local hospitals. Among those aboard were 169 Indian, 53 British, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals
Aircraft lost signals moments after lift-off
Flightradar24 data reveals Flight AI171 ascended to a maximum barometric altitude of just 625 feet—around 425 feet above the airport’s 200‑foot elevation—before descending at approximately 475 feet per minute. The signal was lost at 08:08 UTC (13:38 IST), less than a minute after take-off
An Air India flight crashed on Thursday, June 12, while attempting to take off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) in western India.
The flight, AI171, was bound for London Gatwick (LGW) with 242 people on board. The aircraft involved in the crash has been identified as a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registered VT-ANB. The twin-aisle jet was delivered to Air India in 2014.
According to early reports from Indian television channels, the aircraft went down in a civilian area outside the airport perimeter shortly after beginning its take-off roll.
Unverified footage circulating on social media appears to show the aircraft losing altitude with its nose pitched upward.
#NDTVExclusive | The moment when London-bound Air India flight crashed in Ahemdabad pic.twitter.com/84ezILYgPo
— NDTV (@ndtv) June 12, 2025
Footage from the scene shows flames and thick plumes of black smoke rising from burning debris, with emergency crews rushing to contain the blaze.
Several injured passengers have been evacuated from the scene and transported to local hospitals. Visuals aired by national broadcasters showed passengers being carried on stretchers and loaded into ambulances.
We just received more images from #AI171 crash site. The B787 crashed directly on the BJ Medical College UG hostel mess in Meghani Nagar. Updates: https://t.co/4BuDhgJDQn pic.twitter.com/R3ieu51tsD
— AIRLIVE (@airlivenet) June 12, 2025
In a statement, Air India said: “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.”
TATA Group Chairman and Air India’s parent company head, N. Chandrasekaran, later issued a confirmation:
“With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad–London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.”
“At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted.”
Authorities have yet to confirm the number of injuries or fatalities. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and airport officials have reportedly launched an investigation into the incident.
5 comments
Very comprehensively covered the crash of Air India flight at Ahmedabad
The plane’s flaps were not extended. Appears to be pilot error….
The Tata Chairman must step down immediately and take full responsibility. To save pennies he did not followed safety rules. He let the aircrafts fly without inspection, certification etc. Giving apologies can he bring back the lives of 241 human. He draws a huge salary and in return gives what. As an ex Tata employee I cannot think such things happening in Tata empire.
No flaps and slate visible as extended; with the full load of passengers, cargo and fuel, a crash was inevitable. What happened about the takeoff config warning? That CVR and FDR should be VERY interesting! Once they got wheels off the ground there was no chance!
Very interesting observations. The flaps never appeared to be in takeoff configuration, so the condition warning should have been sounding. I suspect the weight settings were either grossly miscalculated or entered as they never had enough power. I almost suspect the configuration settings were not changed from their arriving flight where they would have been very light. Departing to London they would have been much heavier with fuel and passengers and cargo. Also before the plane actually settled into the ground the forward momentum was gone and the lift on the wings was lost as you can see the wings flatten out. (the tips are much higher when the plane is creating lift) The wing span curvature went away before they settled to the ground. Up elevator input was made, however the nose did not respond as it should have, again indicating very low speed and lift.
I cannot fathom anyone could confuse the flaps and the landing gear. The location and process and flow is not even close, and just cannot be possible. The PIC could have corrected this, however no indication of gear or flap re-selection. The flaps were never extended in any of the videos I saw.
The impact area was relatively slow and intact. the engines, wings, and tail were all very closely located, and ground damage was relatively light for an impact by a large aircraft. Fire was the leading cause of death and damage, not impact from what I observed.
Lets hope the black boxes were fully functional.