Air India flight 171, heading for London Gatwick, crashed earlier this morning minutes after take-off. Here is a timeline of everything that unfolded from the moment it left the runway
A plane flying to London Gatwick crashed this morning just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad Airport in western India. Terrifying footage shows the Air India Flight 171 erupting into a ball of fire and thick black smoke as it hit a dining hall for medical students in a residential area.
Aboard the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner were 242 people, including 53 British nationals, 169 Indian nationals, seven Portuguese people, and one Canadian. Here is how the crash unfolded, minute by minute, as officials warn there are likely to be “no survivors”.
9.08am
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner took off from Ahmedabad at 1.38pm local time (9.08am BST), heading to London Gatwick Airport. There was a sudden climb to 635ft and 174 knots, according to Flight Radar data, but last signal was received just seconds after take-off.
Shortly after take-off, a mayday call was issued by the crew, indicating an emergency. No further communication was received.
9.56am
Reports of a crash start to come in. Flight Radar posts on X: “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 take off. The aircraft involved is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration VT-ANB.”
9.58am
Air India, the airline, confirms that something has happened to the plane. It posted on X: “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.”
A video begins to circulate online, showing that the plane appeared to crash into the densely populated Menghani neighbourhood of Ahmedabad in western India.
10.06am
India’s aviation minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, posted that he was “shocked and devastated to learn about the flight crash”. He wrote: “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. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.”
10.07am
Photographs shared by nearby residents show plumes of black smoke rising from the crash site.
10.10am
The chief minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel, released a statement saying that officials had been instructed to carry out “immediate rescue and relief operations”. He wrote: “I have also instructed officials to arrange a green corridor to transport the injured passengers for treatment and to ensure all necessary medical arrangements are made at the hospital on priority.”
10.13am
Local reports show that police and ambulances raced to the scene, and at least two dozen ambulances arrived to take people to hospital.
10.15am
London Gatwick shared a statement on the crash, writing: “We can confirm that flight AI171 that crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25. More information to follow.”
10.17am
Air India’s chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran confirmed that the flight was involved in a “tragic accident” and issued his “thoughts and deepest condolences” to the families and loved ones of all those affected.
He said: “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. Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. An emergency centre has been activated and a support team have been set up for families seeking information.”
10.20am
Reports come in that more than 200 people are believed to have been on board the plane when it crashed.
10.56am
Air India reveals that the plane was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Among them were 53 British nationals, 169 Indian nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese.
The airline said that the injured were being taken to hospitals, and a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 had been set up to provide more information. It added: “Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.”
10.59am
House of Commons leader Lucy Powell spoke in government about the crash. She said: “The thoughts of the whole House and the Government will be with the families of those travelling on flight AI171 from Ahmedabad in India to London, Gatwick, which has reportedly crashed.” She added: “This is an unfolding story, and it will undoubtedly be causing a huge amount of worry and concern to the many, many families and communities here and those waiting for the arrival of their loved ones. We send our deepest sympathy and thoughts to all those families, and the Government will provide all the support that it can with those in India on those in this country as well.”
11.18am
Boeing issues its first statement on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed. It said: “We are aware of initial reports and are working to gather more information.”
11.26am
UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer posted on X: “The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.”
He said that he was being updated as the situation developed, and offered his thoughts to the passengers and their families at this “deeply distressing time”.
11.35am
Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister said: “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.”
At the same time, flights resumed at Ahmedabad airport. “Flight safety protocols are being followed with utmost care,” the ministry wrote on X.
12.05pm
The UK Foreign Office said it had arranged crisis teams in India and the UK. David Lammy, the foreign secretary, told the Commons: “My thoughts, and I’m sure those of the entire House, are with those who’ve been affected by the tragic plane crash in India this morning. We know that British nationals were on board and I can confirm that the FCDO is working urgently with local authorities to support British nationals and their families, and has stood up a crisis team in both Delhi and in London.”
12.56pm
The city’s police chief told AP that there appeared to be no survivors from the Air India flight.
1.16pm
A spokesperson for the Indian foreign ministry said that the rescue operations were on, adding: “We need to wait a little more time for exact details to be put out.”
Randhir Jaiswal said: “We have lost a lot of people. We extend our deepest condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones.”