One miracle survivor, more than 200 feared dead: What we know about Air India plane crash

Of the 242 people on board the Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad’s Meghani, on Thursday afternoon, 241 are feared dead. One person has miraculously survived. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is in Ahmedabad, said the temperature from the burning fuel was so high that there was simply no chance to save anyone.

The crash occurred at 1.17 pm, seconds after the Air India Boeing Dreamliner took off.

Read Ahmedabad Plane Crash LIVE updates here.

Among those on the aircraft were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian and seven Portuguese passengers.

Several images have emerged showing the wreckage of the Air India plane at a medical college in Ahmedabad. Five students died and several others were injured after part of the aircraft crashed into the students’ hostel at BJ Medical College.

So, how did the crash happen? As the story develops, here’s what we know so far.

Ahmedabad plane crash: Latest developments

1. At least 241 people on board, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew members, are feared dead. Vijay Rupani, a former Chief Minister of Gujarat, was among the passengers on the flight. There are reports of one survivor.

2. Union Minister Amit Shah, who is in Ahmedabad, said that the entire country was in mourning. He also assured support to the families of the victims, saying the government stood with them.

Shah added that DNA sampling was currently underway, and only after that process will authorities be able to identify all the deceased passengers. He said that the temperature from the burning fuel was so high that there was simply no chance to save anyone.

3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a statement, “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.” He is expected to visit Ahmedabad.

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4. Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu visited the crash site. “Just visited the crash site in Ahmedabad what I witnessed was deeply distressing. I’m on the ground, closely reviewing rescue and relief efforts. Teams from DGCA, AAI, Air India, NDRF, and local administration are working round-the-clock. We’re doing everything we can to support the victims and their families in this tragic hour,” he wrote on X.

5. The aircraft departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1.47 pm. Reports say it went down nine minutes after receiving clearance. The plane crashed into a students’ hostel at BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad. Several reports have confirmed that five students died and several others were injured after the plane crashed into the hostel.

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6. The passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals.

7. Officials have shared the names of the crew members on board the Air India flight that crashed. The aircraft was being flown by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with First Officer Clive Kundar as co-pilot. Captain Sabharwal is a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, while the co-pilot logged 1,100 hours.

8. The Defence PRO said that the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force, and Coast Guard teams also reached the crash site to help with rescue efforts. To allow quicker access to the crash site, the Indian Army at Army Cantt in Ahmedabad broke through its boundary wall.

9. In a statement, President Droupadi Murmu said, “I am deeply distressed to learn about the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. It is a heart-rending disaster. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected people. The nation stands with them in this hour of indescribable grief.”

10. Leader of opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi posted on X, “The Ahmedabad Air India crash is heartbreaking. The pain and anxiety the families of the passengers and crew must be feeling is unimaginable. My thoughts are with each one of them in this incredibly difficult moment. Urgent rescue and relief efforts by the administration are critical - every life matters, every second counts. Congress workers must do everything they can to help on the ground.

11. Air India said in a statement “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.”

12. A terrifying video from the site showed thick smoke rising after the plane crashed. The fire brigade reached the spot quickly, and emergency teams were also sent in to help.

13. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his thoughts are with the passengers and families of those on the Air India flight that was headed to London Gatwick and crashed in Ahmedabad. He said: “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.”

14. As per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft made a Mayday call just after take-off but then stopped responding to further messages from Air Traffic Control. It crashed outside the airport boundary, near Meghani Nagar, leading to a huge fire and clouds of smoke.

What is a Mayday call? 

A Mayday call is a globally recognised distress signal, primarily used in aviation and maritime communication to indicate a life-threatening emergency. The term originates from the French phrase “m’aider,” meaning “help me.”

15. Three teams from the National Disaster Response Force, with 95 members, were sent from Gandhinagar to the crash site. Another three teams were also on their way from Vadodara.

16. Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said in a statement, “Shocked and devastated to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have 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…”

17. Expressing condolences, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said in a statement, “I am deeply saddened by the incident of Air India passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad. 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.”

“I have also instructed to arrange for a green corridor to take the injured passengers for treatment and to ensure all arrangements for treatment in the hospital on priority basis. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also spoken to me and assured full cooperation…”

18. Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran said, “With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India flight, AI 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.”

19. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport was shut down after the incident. All flights were suspended. Operations have resumed now.

20. The plane crashed into a students’ hostel at BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad. Reports say several medical students were present at the time.

21. Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, told CNN-News18 that the Union Home Minister is heading to Ahmedabad. He said the investigation into how the plane crashed is underway, but it is too early to comment. He added that a meeting has been held with all senior officials of the ministry.

22. Air India has set up a dedicated passenger helpline at 1800 5691 444 to share more information.

With inputs from agencies