Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad: One survivor found, 241 passengers feared dead

An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registration VT-ANB) tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon, June 12, 2025. The aircraft was en route to London Gatwick Airport with 242 people on board, including 230 passengers—169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian—and 12 crew members.

The crash occurred approximately nine minutes after takeoff, with the aircraft losing contact shortly thereafter. Reports indicate that the plane was still climbing and had its landing gear extended when it crashed into a building near B.J. Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area. Dense smoke from the ensuing fire hampered rescue efforts. As of the latest reports, one survivor has been found, while the remaining 241 individuals are feared dead.

PM Modi Offers Condolences, Assures Support to Victims’ Families

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating that the tragedy has “stunned and saddened everyone,” and assured that authorities are working to assist those affected.

DGCA Begins In-Depth Probe into Crash

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a detailed investigation into the cause of the crash. Preliminary reports suggest that the aircraft had been fueled for its long-haul journey, which contributed to the intensity of the fire.

In response to the incident, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport was temporarily shut down but has since resumed operations.

This marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 since its introduction in 2011. The aircraft had been in service with Air India since 2014 and was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with First Officer Clive Kundar.

The international aviation community, including Boeing and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), is closely monitoring the investigation. Boeing has expressed condolences and pledged support for the investigation.

The crash has drawn condolences from global leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III, who expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. The UK Foreign Office has arranged crisis teams in both India and the UK to support the affected families.

One survivor found, 241 passengers feared dead

Speaking to ANI on a phone call, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik said, “The police found one survivor in seat 11A. One survivor has been found in the hospital and is under treatment. Cannot say anything about the number of deaths yet. The death toll may increase as the flight crashed in a residential area.”

Bodies wheeled into hospital with severe burns, seatbelts still on

Ahmedabad Civil Hospital’s trauma centre saw severely burnt bodies coming in, many of which were beyond identification, following the Air India plane crash. Dr Pranjal Modi, director of the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre, located on the hospital campus, told The Indian Express that even the survivors, who were unconscious, had suffered severe burns. It is not yet clear whether the survivors are from the flight or from the site where the plane crashed. “Most of the patients (crash victims) are seriously injured… they are not identifiable, faces are burnt, their skin is burnt to a great extent… they are unconscious. Our priority is to help them survive”, said Dr Modi, who was attending to the families of the victims.

AAIB to probe Air India plane crash

Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will be investigating the Air India plane crash at the Ahmedabad airport, according to an official quoted by news agency PTI. AAIB Director General and Director of Investigation at the agency, among others, will be leaving for Ahmedabad, the official said.

Under the civil aviation ministry, AAIB is responsible for the classification of safety occurrences, involving aircraft operating in the Indian airspace into accidents and serious incidents. It carries out detailed investigations into accidents and also suggests measures to improve safety.