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What we know so far after Air India flight to London Gatwick crashes | World News


An Air India flight which was on route to London Gatwick has crashed in India.

At least 242 people were on board the flight when it crashed in the northwestern Indian city of Ahmedabad, police have said.

More than 50 of the passengers are British nationals.

India plane crash latest: Follow live updates

Here is what we know so far.

Where did the plane crash?

Air India flight AI171 took off from Ahmedabad Airport at 1.38pm local time on Thursday.

Minutes after take-off, it crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the director general of the directorate of civil aviation, told the Associated Press.

Air India said of these, 53 are British nationals, 169 are Indian nationals, seven are Portuguese and one person is Canadian.

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Huge plumes of smoke near Indian airport

The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals.

According to flight tracking website Flightrader, the aircraft had reached 625ft before crashing. Its last signal was received just after it took off.

Air India pane crash map

Footage from the scene shows thick black smoke rising towards the sky near the airport.

It also shows images of people being moved in stretchers and taken away in ambulances.

It is unknown what caused the crash.

 Air India plane crash
Smoke rises after an airplane crashed in Ahmedabad, Gujarat state, India, Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Mohan Nakum via AP)
Image:
Thick smoke rising from the scene of the crash. Pic: Mohan Nakum/AP

What we know about the plane

Flightradar lists the aircraft as a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

Air India confirmed that the plane had crashed in a statement on X.

It said: “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025.”

An Air India Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
File pic: Reuters
Image:
An Air India Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
File pic: Reuters

The airline said it is currently “ascertaining the details” and would share anything further on its social media sites and website.

London Gatwick also confirmed that the flight was meant to arrive in the UK at 6.25pm local time this evening.

All flights to and from Ahmedabad have now been suspended.

What has the UK said?

The UK’s foreign office said in a statement that it is aware of the plane crash.

It said: “The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved.”

Firefighters work at the site of an airplane that crashed in India's northwestern city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state, Thursday, June12, 2025
Image:
Pic: AP

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said news of the crash is “heartbreaking”.

She said her “thoughts are with all those affected” including the families of those on board and the emergency teams responding on the ground.

Pilot ‘made a mayday signal’ before crash

Aviation expert Julian Bray told Sky News that he understands the pilot of flight AI171 managed to make a mayday call before the crash.

This would mean the crew was aware of a problem before the incident happened.

A mayday call is an internationally recognised distress signal used in radio communication. It indicates an imminent danger and the need for immediate assistance.

Firefighters work at the site of an airplane that crashed in India's northwestern city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state, Thursday, June12, 2025
Image:
Firefighters work at the site of the crash. Pic: AP

Mr Bray added it is “unusual” for a “state of the art” plane to crash.

“There shouldn’t have been a problem, in taking off, especially not with a Dreamliner. It’s got a pretty good track record,” he said.

‘Shocked and devastated’

India’s civil aviation minister said he is “shocked and devastated” by the plane crash.

“I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action,” Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said.

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“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.”



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