Air India Plane Crash: US, UK sending teams to assist with investigation
On June 12, 2025, Air India Plane Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India, en route to London Gatwick. The flight was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
According to reports, 204 bodies have been recovered, with one confirmed survivor, a British-Indian man named Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated in 11A. Additionally, 41 individuals were reported injured and taken to hospitals. The crash occurred in the Meghani Nagar area, impacting a residential zone and a hostel mess at B.J. Medical College, killing several medical students on the ground.
Rescue operations involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Border Security Force (BSF) are ongoing, with DNA testing arranged for identification of the deceased. The cause of the crash is under investigation, with possible factors including propulsion issues, bird strikes, or pilot error, though no definitive cause has been confirmed.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to lead the inquiry. Air India has set up a hotline (1800 5691 444) for passenger information and is organizing relief flights for families. The crash is one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in decades.
Highlights of Air India Plane Flight AI171 Crash (June 12, 2025):
Air India Flight AI171 Crash: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, en route to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025.
Casualties: 204 confirmed deaths, including passengers, crew, and people on the ground (medical students in a hostel mess). One survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.
Injuries: 41 individuals injured, receiving hospital treatment.
Location: Crash site in Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad, impacting a residential area and B.J. Medical College hostel.
Rescue Efforts: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Border Security Force (BSF) deployed; DNA testing for victim identification.
Investigation: Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) probing cause; possible factors include propulsion issues, bird strikes, or pilot error.
Airline Response: Air India set up a hotline (1800 5691 444) and is arranging relief flights for families.
Significance: One of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in decades.
Below are key statements issued by various individuals, organizations, and authorities following the Air India plane Flight AI171 crash on June 12, 2025, in Ahmedabad, India:
Air India:
● Initial Statement: “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 on airindia.com and on our X handle.”
● Confirmation: “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 Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 7 are Portuguese nationals, and 1 is a Canadian national.”
● CEO Campbell Wilson: “Investigations will take time, but anything we can do now, we are doing. We understand that people are eager for information. Please know that we will continue to share accurate and timely information as soon as we can, but anything we report must be accurate and not speculative.” He also noted, “The injured passengers have been taken by local authorities to the nearest hospital.”
● Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran: “With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India flight, AI 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 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. An emergency centre has been activated, and support teams have been set up for families seeking information.”
Indian Government and Officials:
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “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.”
● Union Home Minister Amit Shah: Called the incident “tragic” and expressed deep sorrow, stating he was heading to Ahmedabad to oversee response efforts. He assured the Gujarat Chief Minister, Home Minister, and Police Commissioner of the central government’s full support.
● Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu: “Shocked and devastated to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. We are on highest alert.”
● Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol: Confirmed former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was on the passenger list and urged patience as casualty figures were being verified.
● Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik: “It appears there are no survivors in the plane crash,” adding that casualties likely included people on the ground in the residential area. “Exact figures on casualties are being ascertained.”
● Gujarat Government: “The State Government of Gujarat has set up a control room at the State Emergency Operation Centre in connection with the Ahmedabad plane crash.” Provided contact numbers: 079-232-51900 and 99784-05304.
● Our leader Vijay Rupani, was going (to London) to meet his family. He is also a victim in this incident. May his soul rest in peace. This is a big loss for the BJP,” Union minister and Gujarat BJP president CR Paatil told reporters.
● Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal: “What has happened in Ahmedabad is a very tragic accident. We have lost many lives. We extend our deepest condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones.”
● Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini: “In this tragic incident, the families who have lost their loved ones, although full details are yet to come, I pray to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed souls.”
● Airports Authority of India (AAI): “In light of the recent incident involving #AirIndia Flight AI171, an Operational Control Room has been activated at @MoCA_GoI (New Delhi) to oversee and coordinate all necessary response measures.” Contact: 011-24610843 | 9650391859.
International Leaders and Organizations:
● British Prime Minister Keir Starmer: “The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.”
● British Cabinet Minister Lucy Powell: “The thoughts of the whole House and the government will be with the families of those traveling on flight AI171 from Ahmedabad in India to London, Gatwick, which has reportedly crashed.
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 [and] those in this country as well.”
● The UK government said on Thursday it is sending a team to help with the investigation into the Air India crash in Ahmedabad, which has claimed over 200 lives.
● Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney: “Devastated” by the crash, adding, “Canada’s transportation officials are in close contact with counterparts, and I am receiving regular updates as the response to this tragedy unfolds.”
● Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro: “On behalf of myself and the government, I would like to express my condolences and deep solidarity with the families of the victims.”
● Pope Leo XIV (via Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin): “Deeply saddened by the tragedy involving an Air India aircraft near Ahmedabad, his Holiness Pope Leo XIV sends his heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives,” with “assurance of prayers for all involved in the recovery efforts.”
● Irish Premier Micheál Martin: Expressed condolences to those who died in the crash.
● U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): “The FAA is in contact with the NTSB regarding Air India flight AI171… When an international incident occurs, that government leads the investigation. In the event assistance is requested, the NTSB is the official U.S. representative, and the FAA provides technical support. We stand ready to launch a team immediately in coordination with the NTSB.”
● Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (Pakistan): “Saddened to hear a tragic incident occurred earlier today. Where an Air India flight with approximately 240 passengers crashed shortly after takeoff near Ahmedabad, India. I express my profound condolences to the people of India.”
Other Organizations and Stakeholders:
● Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA): “Deeply shocked” by the crash, which impacted a doctors’ hostel at B.J. Medical College, injuring 50–60 medical students. FAIMA stated it was “closely monitoring the situation and was ready to provide necessary help.”
● Boeing: “We are aware of initial reports and are working to gather more information.”
● Flightradar24: “We are following reports of an accident involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad, India. Flight AI171 was a scheduled flight from Ahmedabad (AMD) to London Gatwick Airport (LGW). We received the last signal from the aircraft at 13:38 local time (08:08 UTC), just seconds after takeoff, at an altitude of 625 feet.”
● Tata Group (Air India’s parent company): Announced it would provide ₹1 crore to the families of each person who lost their life in the crash.
● Adani Group (Ahmedabad airport operator): Stated it was working with authorities following the crash.
● West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee: “Stunned and profoundly shocked to know of the most tragic Air India plane crash at Ahmedabad today. It is a most sad news for all of us, and I convey my condolences to victim families, even while we anxiously wait for survivors’ details and pray for survival of all. The crash during take-off of the London-bound plane has shaken and saddened me at my core. While we do not know exact figures, media reports indicate that there were 242 passengers in the plane. I am praying to God at this moment.”