Aday after the deadly Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad, the focus has shifted from search and rescue to establishing the reason behind the tragedy, with the recovery of the black box at the site.
In a post on X, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said that the recovery of the flight data recorder would “significantly aid” the probe.
Meanwhile, in an order, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered enhanced safety inspections of Air India’s Boeing 787-8/9 fleet.
The London-bound AI 171 crashed into a hostel building housing students of the B.J. Medical College and the Civil Hospital shortly after takeoff at 1.39 pm, Thursday. In a late-night update, Air India confirmed the death of 241 people on board. Only one passenger, a British national, survived. On the ground, however, authorities have not confirmed the deaths, if any, or injuries among people at the hostel.
Authorities are now trying to identify the victims of the flight with DNA samples taken from relatives.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also arrived in Ahmedabad Friday, where he visited the crash site and met with the lone survivor. He also chaired a review meeting at Ahmedabad Airport with top authorities.
LIVE UPDATES: Air India crash
2.30 pm: Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu addresses a press conference
Addressing a press conference on the Air India crash, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said, “My deepest condolences are with family members who have lost their loved ones. I have also lost my father in a road accident. So, to a certain extent I can understand the pain and anguish that the family members are feeling… The crash news was a moment of shock but I rushed to the site to oversee what needs to be done and what support can be provided. This was the attitude of the government of Gujarat also. Once I reached the site, I saw the Gujarat government already putting the rescue teams to work.”
A high-level committee under the home secretary has been formed to independently investigate the crash, said Kinjarapu. “They will conduct the probe within 3 months and submit a report. They are expected to meet on Monday.”
He added that the incident has given need to conduct an extended surveillance into Boeing 787 series. This order has been given through DGCA. There are 34 in Indian aircraft fleet today. 8 have already been inspected. Rest will be inspected with ‘immediate urgency’.
The black box, he said, was found at around 5 pm at crash site. AAIB believes decoding the system will give ‘in-depth insight’ into what happened during, or moments before the crash, he added.
One official said, “Prior to this accident, the aircraft had completed Paris-Delhi-Ahmedabad sector flight without any trouble.”
7.40 pm: TATA group writes to colleagues, says ‘will be transparent about findings’
Tata Group head Natarajan Chandrasekaran has written to his colleagues, news agency ANI reports. “You know that in the past 24 hours, investigative teams from India, UK, and the US have arrived in Ahmedabad to investigate the crash. They have our full cooperation, and we will be completely transparent about the findings.”
#AirIndiaFlightCrash | Tata Group Head Natarajan Chandrasekaran writes to his colleagues, "What occurred yesterday was inexplicable, and we are in shock and mourning. To lose a single person we know is a tragedy, but for so many deaths to occur at once is incomprehensible. This… pic.twitter.com/XboB94W6DG
— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2025
6.50 pm: Black box recovery will help crash probe: Civil Aviation Minister
In a post on X, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu says the “Flight Data Recorder (Black Box) of AI 171 has been recovered within 28 hours from the accident site in Ahmedabad by AAIB”.
“This marks an important step forward in the investigation. This will significantly aid the enquiry into the incident.”
The Flight Data Recorder (Black Box) has been recovered within 28 hours from the accident site in Ahmedabad by AAIB. This marks an important step forward in the investigation. This will significantly aid the enquiry into the incident.
— Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) June 13, 2025
6.00 pm: AI 171’s black box recovered at crash site
AI 171 aircraft’s black box, which may hold crucial answers, has been recovered at the crash site.
Black boxes are aviation devices that record flight data and cockpit audio in order to dissect and investigate various on-board incidents.
5.50 pm: DGCA orders enhanced inspection of AI’s Boeing 787-8/9 fleet
In an order, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) orders enhanced safety inspection on Boeing 787-8/9 fleet of Air India and a report of the checks to be submitted to the regulatory body.
DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) orders enhanced safety inspection on Boeing 787-8/9 fleet of Air India pic.twitter.com/bj62WbWc9O
— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2025
2.50 pm: Modi pays tribute to former CM Rupani, meets family
PM Modi in a post on X says he met the family of CM Vijay Rupani who was killed in the Air India flight crash Thursday.
“Vijaybhai was humble and hardworking, firmly committed to the Party’s ideology,” he said in the post, adding, “Will always cherish the interactions we had. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this hour of grief.”
Met the family of Shri Vijaybhai Rupani Ji.
It is unimaginable that Vijaybhai is not in our midst. I’ve known him for decades. We worked together, shoulder to shoulder, including during some of the most challenging times. Vijaybhai was humble and hardworking, firmly committed… pic.twitter.com/KbmDsKtARG
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2025
2.10 pm: PM Modi chairs review meeting in Ahmedabad
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he “chaired a review meeting at Ahmedabad Airport with top authorities”. Earlier, the PM visited the crash site and met with the lone survivor of the Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad.
1.20 pm: Gujarat ATS has recovered a digital video recorder (DVR) from the debris of the Air India plane.
An ATS personnel told ANI, “It’s a DVR which we have recovered from the debris. The FSL team will come here soon.”
#WATCH | Gujarat ATS recovered a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) from the debris of the Air India plane that crashed yesterday in Ahmedabad.
An ATS personnel says, "It's a DVR, which we have recovered from the debris. The FSL team will come here soon." pic.twitter.com/zZg9L4kptY
— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2025
10.45 am: Modi says ‘scene of devastation saddening’
In a post on X, Modi writes, “Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy.”
Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy. pic.twitter.com/R7PPGGo6Lj
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2025
9.50 am: PM Modi visited the crash site and assessed the ground situation.
#WATCH | PM Modi visited the Air India plane crash site and assessed the ground situation, today
(Video source: DD) pic.twitter.com/nTGGScRIlf
— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2025
He also visited Ahmedabad Civil Hospital to meet those injured in the crash.
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Union MoS Murlidhar Mohol and State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi also present.
8.20 am: Air India sets up Friends & Relatives Assistance Centres at Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi & Gatwick airports
The airlines announced that these centres are facilitating the travel of family members to Ahmedabad. “Dedicated passenger hotline number for those calling from within India: 1800 5691 444; and those calling from outside India: +91 8062779200,” it wrote on X.
8.15 am: Air India confirms 241 dead, one survivor among 242 passengers
In a late night post on X, Air India wrote: “We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital.
The passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals and 1 Canadian national. The survivor is a British national of Indian origin.”
UPDATE: Air India confirms that flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on 12 June 2025, was involved in an accident.
The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew.
The aircraft crashed shortly…
— Air India (@airindia) June 12, 2025
11.10 pm: Probe initiated, Centre forms high-level committee
In a post on X, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu says a “formal investigation has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)”.
He adds that the Centre is also in the process of constituting a high-level committee of experts from multiple disciplines to probe the tragedy in detail. The committee, he says, will work to strengthen aviation safety and prevent such incidents in future.
Following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, a formal investigation has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Additionally, the Government is…
— Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) June 12, 2025
11.00 pm: Boeing CEO issues statement
In a statement issued Thursday, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg says: “Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad. I have spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to offer our full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.”
The statement adds that “Boeing will defer to India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to provide information about Air India Flight 171, in adherence with the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization protocol known as Annex 13.”
10.40 pm: Trump calls crash “horrific”, offers assistance
Addressing reporters at the White House, US President Donald Trump terms the tragedy in Ahmedabad a “horrific crash”. Washington, he says, has offered to help in any way it can. “It’s a big country, a strong country. They’ll handle it, I’m sure. But I let them know that if there’s anything we can do, we’ll be there immediately.”
10.00 pm: How your planes are checked
There is a night and day difference between aircraft maintenance in India and Dubai. ‘In India, the ground staff does just one round of checks at base, while in Dubai, three to four rounds of checks take place for each aircraft,’ a flight technician who has worked in both countries told ThePrint. According to the Niti Aayog report, 133 planes from Indian airlines are grounded.
Shubhangi Mishra reports on how your planes are checked.
9.50 pm: What Air India’s fleet looks like in 2025
The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday comprises nearly one-sixth of the carrier’s total fleet strength, according to Planespotters.net, an aircraft tracking website. The airline has a total fleet size of 191 aircraft with an average age of planes around 8.1 years. The Tata Group, recognising they were inheriting an ageing fleet when they took over in January 2022, set out on a path to revamp the airline.
Udit Hinduja reports on what Air India’s fleet looks like in 2025
9.40 pm: Amit Shah addresses media in Ahmedabad
After inspecting the crash site and meeting the injured, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses the media in Ahmedabad. The nation stands in grief with those affected by the crash, he says. Shah adds that he met the sole survivor of the crash, a male passenger of the London-bound Air India flight. He also says that the final death toll will be ascertained after identification of the deceased through DNA testing.
He says, “The central government received information within 10 minutes of the accident…the plane was carrying almost 1.25 lakh litres of fuel, and due to the high temperature, there was no chance of saving anyone…”
He adds that the retrieval of dead bodies is almost complete and DNA samples of family members who lost loved ones are being collected. “Around a thousand DNA tests will be done…DNA samples of the dead bodies have also been collected…bodies will be handed over after the DNA tests…”
The aviation minister, says Shah, has instructed officials that an investigation into the crash be conducted rapidly.
#WATCH | Air India Plane Crash | Ahmedabad: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "This afternoon, Air India flight AI-171 crashed and many passengers are feared dead. The entire nation is grieving and is standing together with the bereaved families… The central government… pic.twitter.com/HTy00BWNVy
— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2025
9.20 pm: Union Home Minister Amit Shah meets with injured
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is in Ahmedabad, to take stock of the situation is meeting with those injured after an Air India flight to London crashed shortly after taking off. He earlier visited the crash site.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash | Union Home Minister Amit Shah meets with the injured, including one injured person who appears to be the lone survivor of the ill-fated flight AI171 that crashed earlier today. pic.twitter.com/yv0kTykgWV
— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2025
9.10 pm: Special Air India team arrives in Ahmedabad to provide support
In a post on X, Air India says that “a special team of caregivers” are in Ahmedabad to provide support to its teams on ground, adding it was working with “local authorities to provide necessary assistance”.
UPDATE: A special team of caregivers from Air India has arrived in Ahmedabad to provide support to our teams on ground. We are working with local authorities to provide necessary assistance and are extending full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.
Air…
— Air India (@airindia) June 12, 2025
9.00 pm: 2nd Gujarat CM lost to an aviation tragedy
BJP leader Vijay Rupani is the second Gujarat chief minister—serving or former—to die in an air tragedy, reviving memories of Balwantrai Mehta, who was killed in 1965 when his plane was shot down by a Pakistani jet during the Indo-Pak war.
Read the full report by Sourav Roy Barman here.
8.50 pm: V-P Jagdeep Dhankhar says nation ‘stands’ with those affected
8.40 pm: UK air accidents agency offers assistance to India
The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has formally offered its assistance has formally offered its assistance to the Aircrafts Accident Investigation Bureau of India, it said in a statement Thursday. This is because “UK citizens were on board the aircraft”, it said.
“We are deploying a multidisciplinary investigation team to India to support the Indian led investigation,” the statement added.
8.30 pm: US’s Marco Rubio says monitoring developments
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he’s “heartbroken” by news of the crash, adds “We continue to monitor developments and stand with the emergency responders working to help those impacted.”
Heartbroken to hear the news of a tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. My prayers are with all who lost their loved ones in this horrible incident. We continue to monitor developments and stand with the emergency responders working to help those impacted.
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) June 12, 2025
8.20 pm: Visuals from the site of the Ahmedabad Air India plane crash
8.10 pm: Boeing shares fall sharply after Ahmedabad plane crash
Boeing suffered a bloodbath, falling by nearly 8 percent in pre-market trading on NASDAQ, the US stock exchange, Thursday, after the Air India-operated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flight crashed seconds after its take-off from Ahmedabad, Sampurna Panigrahi reports.
8.00 pm: ‘Bodies of 186 crash victims recovered’
186 bodies of crash victims recovered so far, 3 MBBS students also killed, Dhaval Gameti, president, Resident Doctors’ Association, B.J. Medical College and Civil Hospital, tells reporters.
7.50 pm: TATA group announces ex-gratia of Rs 1 cr for family of each victim
In a post on X, TATA group said it would provide ₹1 crore to the families of each person who lost their life in the accident. “We will also cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that they receive all necessary care and support. Additionally, we will provide support in the building up of the B.J. Medical’s hostel.”
7.40 pm: Visuals of Amit Shah as he reaches the crash site
Union Home Minister Amit Shah visits the site of the Ahmedabad crash late Thursday. He is accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, MoS Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol and Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi.
#WATCH | Gujarat: Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives at the site of Ahmedabad plane crash.
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, MoS Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol and Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi are also with him. pic.twitter.com/H0O8rbujro
— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2025
7.30 pm: ‘Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani victim of tragedy’
Union Minister C.R. Paatil tells the media that former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani was on board London-bound AI 171 that crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport Thursday. “For us, our leader, Shri Vijay Rupani was on the flight, on his way to meet his family. He is also a victim of this tragedy.”
7.20 pm: Ahmedabad Police find one survivor on seat 11A
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik tells news agency ANI that the force “found one survivor in seat 11A”. He adds, “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.”
7.10 pm: US FAA says it is in touch with Indian officials
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the agency responsible for regulating civil aviation in the US, offered assistance to the Indian government, in partnership with the National Transportation Board (NTSB), a US government agency which investigates transportation accidents.
FAA Statement⁰The FAA is in contact with the NTSB regarding Air India flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad (AMD) to London Gatwick (LGW), that was involved in an accident in India on Thursday, June 12. ⁰⁰When an international incident occurs, that government leads the…
— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) June 12, 2025
7.00 pm: Dozens injured, at least 1 found dead at B.J. Medical College hostel
More than 50 MBBS students of the B.J. Medical College are injured after an Air India flight crashed into a hostel building Thursday, ThePrint has learnt. The injured are in stable condition.
Further, at least 4 students are missing, 2 are admitted to the ICU in critical condition and 3-4 relatives of resident doctors are reported missing. The wife of a super specialist doctor was found dead, ThePrint further learnt.
6.30 pm: Leaders react to Ahmedabad crash tragedy
Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (LoP) Rahul Gandhi in a post on X says the crash was “heartbreaking”. He adds that urgent rescue and relief efforts by the administration are critical. Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi urged Congress workers to provide assistance on the ground.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta says the news of the crash is “extremely painful and shocking”.
“I express my deepest condolences to all the passengers and their families. I pray to God that all the passengers remain safe and the injured get speedy recovery,” she says, adding, “We stand with all the affected families with full sensitivity in this difficult time.”
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…
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 12, 2025
Absolutely shocked to know about the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat where several passengers and crew members were on board.
It’s heart-wrenching to see the horrific visuals.
Our heartfelt sympathies, thoughts and prayers with the families of the…
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) June 12, 2025
अहमदाबाद में एयर इंडिया के विमान के दुर्घटनाग्रस्त होने का समाचार अत्यंत पीड़ादायक और स्तब्ध कर देने वाला है।
मैं सभी यात्रियों एवं उनके परिजनों के प्रति गहरी संवेदना व्यक्त करती हूँ। ईश्वर से प्रार्थना है कि सभी यात्री सकुशल हों और घायल लोगों को शीघ्र स्वास्थ्य लाभ मिले।
इस…
— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) June 12, 2025
Other leaders, including Congress leader Pawan Khera, Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and Karnataka Deputy CM Shivakumar also react to the tragedy.
6.20 pm: ‘Most of people on board the Air India aircraft feared dead’
Most of the 242 people on board the Air India aircraft that crashed near the Ahmedabad airport are feared dead, a top official in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) told ThePrint. The DGCA however is yet to issue an official statement on the casualties.
Read the full report by Bismee Taskin here.
6.10 pm: Canada PM says ‘devastated’ by news of crash
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says he is “devastated to learn of the crash”, adds “Canada’s transportation officials are in close contact with counterparts”.
Separately, UK’s King Charles says “Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones”.
53 British nationals and 1 Canadian national were on board the flight, Air India had earlier confirmed.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni say they are saddened by the tragedy. Meloni offers “full solidarity with the Indian people in this time of great sorrow”.
6.00 pm: Indian Army deploys teams to assist relief, rescue ops
130 Army personnel have been deployed to assist civil administration in rescue and relief efforts at the site of the crash in Ahmedabad. Assistance includes JCBs for debris clearance, medical teams, quick action teams (QATs), and fire-fighting assets, the Army says in a statement, adding that the Military Hospital has also been placed on standby.
5.50 pm: AI 171 plane was from Boeing Dreamliner fleet
The Air India plane that crashed in Ahmedabad Thursday was a Boeing 787-8, part of the Dreamliner fleet that is among the bestselling passenger widebody aircraft.
According to the Boeing website, since its launch about 14 years ago, the 787 Dreamliner fleet has carried more than one million passengers globally. “A lighter and robust composite structure enables the airlines to reduce fuel use by up to 25 percent compared to the airplanes it replaces,” the Boeing website says.
57 metres (186 ft)-long with a wingspan of 60 m (197 ft) and a height of 17 m (57 ft), the 787 Dreamliner can carry 248 passengers and has a range of 13,530 km, the website further added. It uses the GEnx-1B/Trent 1000 engine.
The 787 Dreamliner operates on more than 425 new non-stop routes around the world, many of which have never been served previously, it said.
5.40 pm: Boeing issues statement saying it is in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stands “ready to support them”. It adds: “Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected.”
We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected. pic.twitter.com/kYrdKyvl7z
— Boeing Airplanes (@BoeingAirplanes) June 12, 2025
5.30 pm: The Supreme Court of India in a statement Thursday condoles with the families affected by the crash in Ahmedabad, while also expressing concern for the inmates of the B.J. Medical College and civil hospital. “During this difficult times our thoughts and prayers are with them. May they find strength and solace in the support of their loved ones,” the statement quotes CJI B.R. Gavai as having said.
5.20 pm: Ministry of Civil Aviation, in a post on X, says Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport was available for flight operations from 16:05 IST onwards. Flight operations had earlier been suspended until further notice.
Speaking to reporters, MoS Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol says Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on their way to Ahmedabad. Mohol also says he is heading to the crash site, adding, “It will take some time before we can confirm the exact number of casualties.”
5.10 pm: In the regular press briefing Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “What has happened in Ahmedabad is a very tragic accident. We have lost many people. Extend our condolences to those who have their loved ones. There were many foreign nationals as well.”
Adding, “We once again share our deepest condolences to the loved ones.”
5.00 pm: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel reaches Ahmedabad’s Asarwa Civil Hospital, where the injured were being taken, reports ANI.
#WATCH | Air India Plane Crash | Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel reaches Ahmedabad's Asarwa Civil Hospital, where the plane crash injured have been brought pic.twitter.com/ynXPHdPL7b
— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2025
4.50 pm: Gautam Adani, whose Adani Group operates the Ahmedabad airport, expresses shock over the incident and said the company was closely working with all authorities and extending full support to the families on the ground, in a post on X.
Indian airline carriers also release statements expressing grief, including Indigo, Akasa Air and SpiceJet. IndiGo says, “We are deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident near Ahmedabad airport. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, and their families. We stand united in spirit with Air India in this very difficult time.”
In its statement, Akasa Air says, “We are deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident in Ahmedabad. Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers, crew on the flight, the people affected on the ground and their loved ones.”
SpiceJet says, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident at Ahmedabad airport. Our heartfelt prayers are with the passengers, crew members, and their families. We stand in solidarity with Air India during this difficult time.”
4.40 pm: President Droupadi Murmu expresses regret over the tragic accident, says the nation stands behind those affected.
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.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 12, 2025
4.30 pm: The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) says teams comprising 90 personnel have been moved from Gandhinagar to the plane crash site. A total of three more teams are being moved from Vadodara.
4.20 pm: World leaders react to the crash of the Air India flight in Ahmedabad. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he is keeping track of the situation. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said, “The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support.”
Earlier Air India confirmed 53 British nationals were on board.
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.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 12, 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Foreign Affairs Minister of Israel Gideon Sa’ar also express their condolences in posts on X.
4.10 pm: PM Narendra Modi condoles the tragedy in a post on X. “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.”
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2025
In another post on X, Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi says the Prime Minister’s Office is closely monitoring the situation and “receiving point-by-point updates and guiding further”. He adds that hospitals have been instructed to be on high alert with all ambulances ready to respond.
Sanghavi said Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also in touch with the state government. The administration is working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of all affected. “Senior officials have been deployed to hospitals and the airport to ensure prompt action and save lives. NDRF and SDRF teams have been rushed to the incident site,” he said on X.
4.00 pm: Union Home Minister Amit Shah talks to Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, state Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, and the commissioner of police to assess the situation. Disaster response teams rushed to the site.
Pained beyond words by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. Disaster response forces have been quickly rushed to the crash site. Spoke with the Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, Home Minister Shri Harsh Sanghavi, and Commissioner of Police Ahmedabad to assess the…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 12, 2025
3.50 pm: Senior leaders, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Chief Ministers Chandrababu Naidu and Siddaramaiah express shock over the plane crash.
Deeply shocked to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad.
Our prayers are with the passengers and their families.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 12, 2025
Deeply shocked and pained by the devastating flight crash in Ahmedabad. Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers, crew members, their families, and the residents affected.
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) June 12, 2025
Deeply shocked to learn that an Air India flight with over 200 passengers has met with an accident in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
This is a deeply distressing development.
Praying for everyone's safety and hoping that all those affected receive timely help and care.…
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) June 12, 2025
3.40 pm: UK High Commission issues first statement after Air India plane crash. “We are aware that a flight from Ahmedabad to London has crashed near Ahmedabad airport. We are working with local authorities to urgently establish the facts and provide support. Our thoughts are with all those affected.”
3.30 pm: In an update posted on X, Air India says 169 passengers on board were Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals. The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals.
Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off.
The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are…
— Air India (@airindia) June 12, 2025
3.20 pm: According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the plane from Ahmedabad (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport) to London (Gatwick airport) was carrying 242 passengers, 2 pilots and 10 crew members. “The aircraft was under the command of Capt Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer Clive Kundar. Capt Sumeet Sabharwal is a LTC with 8200 Hrs of experience. The co pilot had 1100 Hrs of flying experience,” the statement adds.
3.10 pm: In a statement by his office, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel describes the crash as “very unfortunate and sad”. He asks for the creation of a green corridor to take the injured passengers for immediate treatment. The statement adds that Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the chief minister and assured all help by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the central government.
3.00 pm: TATA group on X shares an official statement from chairperson N. Chandrasekaran confirming the crash. “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.”
With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 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…— Tata Group (@TataCompanies) June 12, 2025
2.50 pm: In a post on X, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu says he is personally monitoring the situation. “I 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.”
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…
— Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) June 12, 2025
2.40 pm: In a post on X, Flight Radar says signal from the “aircraft was lost at 10:08 local time at 625 feet, less than a minute after take off”.
Air India flight #AI171 was scheduled to fly from Ahmedabad International Airport to London Gatwick Airport.
Scheduled time of departure was 09:50 local time and scheduled arrival time was 18:25 local time.
The signal from the aircraft was lost at 10:08 local time at 625 feet,… pic.twitter.com/0o9YqixNcT
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) June 12, 2025
2.30 pm: Air India spokesperson tells news agency ANI that AI 171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today. At this moment we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest, the spokesperson adds.
Also Read: Air India plane crashes near Ahmedabad airport, emergency responders at site