New Delhi (Web Desk): A catastrophic aviation disaster unfolded in Ahmedabad, western India, on Thursday when an Air India aircraft en route to London crashed shortly after departure, killing over 200 out of 242 individuals on board, while one person survived, according to Indian media reports.
The flight had taken off from Ahmedabad with its destination set as Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom. The aircraft lost control minutes after liftoff and fell into a densely populated area close to the airport.
Officials confirmed that the site of impact included a residential complex used as a doctors' hostel. Emergency personnel managed to clear a majority of the debris, with operations ongoing.
Television footage aired by different TV channels revealed that the crash struck the dining facility of the BJ Medical College hostel, which houses medical students. The impact resulted in additional fatalities on the ground. A portion of the wreckage could be seen lodged atop the building, according to live visuals.
Emergency teams recovered between 30 to 35 bodies from the area in the initial phase of rescue, while many others remained trapped beneath the rubble. Air India officials reported that the plane carried 217 adults, 11 children, and 2 infants. A breakdown of nationalities showed 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian on the manifest.
Flightradar24, a flight-tracking service, confirmed that the aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner—a technologically advanced commercial jet that had never before been involved in a fatal accident since its 2011 debut.
This particular airframe was delivered to Air India in early 2014, having completed its first flight in 2013.
An Air India statement on the social media platform X said that the airline was still verifying facts and would share updates as they became available. At the time, emergency responders were transporting injured individuals to nearby hospitals.
Eyewitness accounts and TV reports said the plane caught fire shortly after departure, and a huge fireball was visible moments after it disappeared from view. Black smoke and burning wreckage were seen in close proximity to the airport, while medics carried the wounded away on stretchers.
Air traffic control at Ahmedabad confirmed the aircraft departed at 1:39 PM local time (0809 GMT) from runway 23. Shortly after takeoff, the pilots issued a “Mayday” alert—an international distress signal—but contact with the aircraft ceased soon afterward. Flightradar24 recorded its last signal moments later.
Boeing, the manufacturer of the plane, acknowledged the incident and stated it was working to gather additional information. The news prompted a market reaction, with Boeing’s shares dropping 6.8% to $199.13 in pre-market trading.
The British Foreign Office confirmed it was in contact with Indian authorities to clarify details of the tragedy and provide assistance to those affected.
Reactions poured in from world leaders, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling the incident "heartbreaking beyond words" in a social media message.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the visuals of the crash “devastating” and said he was receiving regular briefings. Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles had also been informed of the incident.
India’s aviation ministry stated that Prime Minister Modi had instructed all relevant agencies to provide immediate support to rescue and recovery efforts. The crash site is located in Modi’s home state of Gujarat.
All flights were suspended at Ahmedabad Airport following the crash. The facility is managed by the Adani Group, whose chairman Gautam Adani shared a statement of sorrow and said his organization was working closely with authorities and offering assistance to affected families.
This marks the first major fatal air crash in India since 2020, when an Air India Express flight overshot a table-top runway in Kozhikode, Kerala, and killed 21 people after falling into a ravine.
Air India, which was formerly state-owned, came under the control of the Tata Group in 2022.
The airline was merged with Vistara, a joint venture with Singapore Airlines, in 2024. Tata has since launched an emergency centre and deployed a support team to assist families seeking updates on the incident.