Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad kills over 275
Gatwick-bound jet crashes into medical college building; one ‘miracle’ survivor
DUBAI: At least 279 people have died after Air India flight AI171 crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on Wednesday, striking a hostel block at a medical college.
Officials have confirmed 241 fatalities on board and 38 on the ground, in one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s history.
Air India plane crash: Casualties
Among those killed were passengers on the flight, including minors, local residents, and people inside the B.J. Medical College and Hospital hostel when the plane crashed into it. Only one survivor has been confirmed among those on board, according to local police.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson earlier said in a video message that injured passengers had been taken to local hospitals and that a “special team of caregivers from Air India is on their way to Ahmedabad to provide additional support.”
Officials said the bulk of the plane crashed into a hostel housing doctors working at the affiliated hospital. The Federation of All India Medical Association said between 50 and 60 students were admitted to local hospitals after the crash. Some residents and their relatives remain missing, while one resident’s wife has been confirmed dead.
What happened to AI171?
The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner had just lifted off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport when it issued a Mayday call. Seconds later, it lost altitude and slammed into the residential section of the medical college, triggering a massive fire and emergency response.
Among the dead on the ground was reportedly a former chief minister of Gujarat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visiting the site the next day, called the disaster “heartbreaking beyond words.”
The flight departed at 1:39 pm local time, en route to London Gatwick. Less than a minute into the flight, pilots reported a critical emergency. CCTV footage shows the aircraft struggling to gain altitude before disappearing into smoke. It crashed roughly one kilometre from the airport into Meghani Nagar, destroying a multi-storey hostel block.
“Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed,” survivor Ramesh Viswashkumar told the Hindustan Times.
Authorities say the jet disintegrated on impact. Rescuers recovered bodies from the wreckage and inside the building, where residents were reportedly having lunch. Firefighters were delayed in approaching the site due to intense flames and toxic smoke caused by burning aviation fuel.
Rescue and investigation
Emergency services, including six teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were deployed within minutes. A DNA identification centre was set up at Civil Hospital Ahmedabad to identify victims.
India’s Civil Aviation Ministry has launched a full investigation with assistance from Boeing, GE Aerospace, the US Federal Aviation Administration, and the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). Both black boxes have been recovered and are being analysed.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson pledged full cooperation, while the Tata Group announced relief measures. Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said INR1 crore (approx. $120,000 or Dh429,297) would be provided to the family of each victim. The group will also cover medical expenses for the injured and help rebuild the damaged hostel block.
Global grief
The disaster has prompted messages of condolence from leaders and governments around the world:
US President Donald Trump called it a “horrific tragedy,” offering full support to India.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “devastated” by the loss of British lives and extended condolences on behalf of the British people.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “deep solidarity and sympathy,” noting that flights between the UAE and Ahmedabad were briefly disrupted.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif posted on X: “Saddened by the tragic crash… We extend our condolences to the families of the victims.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “We share your pain,” in a message to Prime Minister Modi.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a letter of condolence to India’s president and prime minister.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla said they were “desperately shocked,” and praised the swift emergency response.