Ahmedabad plane crash: Air India crash death toll rises to 279

An Indian police source said Saturday that 279 bodies had been recovered from the site where a passenger jet crashed into a residential district of the city of Ahmedabad.

The revised toll from a senior officer in the city, who requested anonymity in order to speak to the media, raises an earlier figure of 265.

The official casualty number will not be finalised until the slow process of DNA identification is completed.

Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran called the Ahmedabad Air India crash “one of the darkest days” in the company’s history, saying the entire group is in shock and mourning.

He urged the public to be patient amid speculation, promising full transparency and support for the investigation and victims’ families. “We owe it to the victims and their loved ones,” he said, adding that safety has always been Tata’s top priority since taking over Air India.

Following the deadly Air India Ahmedabad crash, all Boeing 787-8/9 Dreamliners in Air India's fleet will undergo enhanced safety inspections starting June 15, the civil aviation ministry announced. The checks will focus on fuel, engine, hydraulic systems, cabin air compressors, and electronic engine controls.

Power assurance and flight control inspections will also be done within two weeks. Recent repetitive snags on Dreamliner flights must be reviewed and resolved promptly, the government said.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will review inspection reports and address repetitive technical issues from recent flights.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met the family of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was among the 241 victims of the tragic Air India AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad.

In a heartfelt post on X, PM Modi remembered Rupani as a humble, hardworking leader deeply committed to the BJP’s ideology.
“It is unimaginable that Vijaybhai is no longer with us. I’ve known him for decades — we worked shoulder to shoulder, even during the most challenging times,” Modi wrote.

The PM highlighted Rupani’s contributions in various roles, including as Rajkot Municipal Corporation member, Rajya Sabha MP, Gujarat BJP president, and state cabinet minister, before becoming Chief Minister.
“He ushered in several reforms that improved Gujarat’s growth and ease of living,” Modi said, adding that he would always cherish their conversations.

PM Modi extended his condolences to Rupani’s family and friends, saying, “Om Shanti.”

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has cancelled his planned visit to next week’s Paris Air Show to focus on the investigation into the Air India Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, which killed at least 265 people. It marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787.

Ortberg expressed condolences and said Boeing is fully cooperating with Indian and US investigators. He and EVP Stephanie Pope are staying back to support the probe and the airline. Boeing has pledged technical assistance to determine the cause of the crash.

Grieving families are awaiting DNA results to identify victims of the Air India AI-171 crash, which killed 241 of 242 people onboard.

One victim, Keenal Mistri, was returning to London after a dental visit to India. Her family said DNA results may take up to 72 hours.

The Boeing 787-8 crashed on June 12, hitting a BJ Medical College hostel and bursting into flames. Most bodies were badly charred, requiring forensic identification.

Locals helped rescue students, but some remain missing, including the mother and child of a hostel cook.

A formal investigation is underway. Gujarat ATS has recovered a DVR from the crash site to assist in the probe.

The Gujarat ATS has recovered a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) from the wreckage of the Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday, ANI reported. All passengers and crew, except one, died in the crash.

An ATS official said the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team will examine the device. Unlike flight or cockpit recorders, a DVR captures onboard video footage and could help investigators understand the final moments before the crash.

Investigators continued combing the crash site of one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters on Friday, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the sole survivor.

Rescue teams are conducting DNA tests to identify the predominantly charred remains, and expect to recover additional victims as debris is cleared. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the flight data and cockpit voice recorders have been located.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Friday the charred neighbourhood where a London-bound passenger plane crashed, killing at least 265 people on board and on the ground.

Modi, who called Thursday's crash of the Air India Boeing 787-8 "heartbreaking beyond words", was shown by Indian broadcasters walking around the site in Ahmedabad, the main city in the leader's home state of Gujarat.

The airline confirmed late on Thursday evening that of the 242 people on board, 241 were confirmed dead.

"The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital," the airline said.

"The survivor is a British national of Indian origin," it added.

India will lead the investigation into the deadly crash of an Air India flight that went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday, with several international parties also expected to participate.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, was en route to London Gatwick when it crashed into a building near the airport. More than 200 bodies have been recovered, marking it as one of the worst air disasters in recent years. One survivor has been confirmed.

Mary Schiavo, former US Department of Transportation inspector general, cited by CNN, said international protocols ensure that countries with nationals on board—including the UK, Portugal, and Canada—will join the investigation. Boeing and component manufacturers are also expected to be involved.

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has formally launched the probe, with aviation experts from the US and UK already en route.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed the AAIB is leading efforts to determine the cause. Emergency crews continue search operations, with the final death toll pending DNA verification.

A haunting photo shows the tail of the Air India plane jutting from a damaged building in Ahmedabad, capturing the crash’s brutal impact. The building, used as a dining hall for medical students, suffered a jagged hole and spreading cracks.

The doctors' hostel in Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad, bears stark devastation—broken tables, half-eaten meals, and shattered walls—after an Air India flight crashed into it shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport.

Scenes from the mess hall show plates with food, overturned furniture, and broken fixtures, capturing the sudden tragedy.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed near the airport perimeter, hitting the doctors’ hostel, senior police officials confirmed.

“After takeoff, the plane crashed here. Preliminary inquiry shows it struck a doctors’ hostel,” said Ahmedabad Police Joint Commissioner Jaipal Singh Rathore.

Relatives of Air India crash victims in Ahmedabad are anxiously awaiting news, with many still unsure of their loved ones’ fate.

One man told ANI his brother and sister-in-law were flying to London to visit their daughter but he had no information about them. Others shared similar concerns about family members onboard. Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik confirmed that one survivor has been found.

Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national and reported survivor of the Air India Flight 171 crash, told relatives he has "no idea" how he escaped the wreckage, relatives told BBC. Speaking from their Leicester home, his brother Nayankumar said the family was deeply shocked by the news.

According to BBC, relatives said Vishwashkumar suffered facial injuries and was covered in blood but could not explain how he escaped the aircraft. He has also reportedly contacted his father to ask about his brother Ajay, who is believed to have been on the same flight.

A single passenger survived the deadly Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad and is currently being treated at a local hospital, a doctor confirmed. Dr Shriq M. from the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital's trauma ward told PTI that the survivor is receiving care. The flight, carrying over 240 people to London, crashed shortly after takeoff.

A selfie taken aboard the ill-fated Air India flight shows Dr Komi Vyas, her husband Dr Prateek Joshi, and their three children—Nakul, Pradyut, and Miraya—smiling moments before the crash, NDTV reported.

The Rajasthan-based doctor couple was moving to London, with Komi recently resigning from her job in Udaipur to join her husband abroad. The family was among the 242 people on board the flight that crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad.

Dr Joshi had returned to India earlier in the week to bring his family with him. “Several members of both families had gone to see them off,” a cousin told NDTV.

US President Donald Trump expressed his concern over the fatal Air India crash on Thursday, calling it a “horrific” tragedy. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he had assured Indian officials of US support if needed.

“I told them we’re ready to help in any way. It’s a strong country—they’ll manage—but we’re here if they need us,” he said.

Eleven people from Rajasthan were onboard the ill-fated Air India flight that crashed near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday. The victims, from six families, included five from Banswara, four from Udaipur, and one each from Balotra and Bikaner.

Among them were Koni Vyas, a former Udaipur hospital employee, her husband Pradeep Joshi, and their three children, all en route to London. Balotra resident Khushboo, who had recently married and was joining her doctor husband in London, also perished.

Siblings Shubh and Shagun Modi from Udaipur, Abhinav Parihar from Bikaner, and two London-based cooks — Vardichand Menaria and Prakash Menaria — were also among the victims. Grieving relatives have started arriving in Ahmedabad.

Air India has arranged two special relief flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Ahmedabad to assist families of victims of Flight AI171. These flights will transport next of kin and staff to the crash site and hospitals.

From Delhi, flight IX1555 departs at 11pm (local time) on Thursday, with the return flight IX1556 at 1:10am on June 13. From Mumbai, AI1402 departs at 11pm, returning as AI1409 at 1:15am.

Families can contact the hotline at 1800 5691 444. For international inquiries, a separate helpline is available at +91 8062779200.

New CCTV footage shows the final moments of Air India Flight AI171, which crashed shortly after takeoff at 1:39 PM. The plane failed to gain altitude, flying low with landing gear still down, and crashed into the B.J. Medical College hostel just 32 seconds later, triggering a massive explosion. A Mayday call was sent before contact was lost. Experts suspect a thrust or lift issue, but the exact cause remains under investigation.

A Malayali woman was among the victims of the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday. The deceased has been identified as 40-year-old Renjitha R Nair, also known as Renjitha Gopakumar, a nurse from Pullad, Pathanamthitta. She had recently secured a job in London after working five years in the Middle East and died in the Air India crash.

Her elderly mother and two young children, aged 10 and 7, were devastated by the news. Renjitha had been on leave from government health service and was preparing to return, while also building a new home with plans for a housewarming on June 28.

She had left for Ahmedabad on Thursday to board the flight to London. Neighbours described her as the family’s backbone and a kind person, recalling her last words promising to return soon.

In the wake of the devastating Air India Flight AI171 incident near Ahmedabad, Tata Group, the parent company of Air India, has issued a heartfelt statement expressing deep sorrow and pledging significant support to those affected.

Tata Group has announced major relief efforts following the tragedy. Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said ₹1 crore (approx. $120,000 or Dh429,297) will be given to the families of each victim. The group will also cover medical expenses for the injured and help rebuild the B.J. Medical College hostel, which was affected in the crash.

Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed his condolences following the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

“Saddened by the tragic crash of Air India flight near Ahmedabad today. We extend our condolences to the families of the victims grieving this immense loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy,” he said on X

Ramesh Vishwaskumar Bucharvada, 38, has miraculously survived the deadly crash of Air India flight AI171 on Thursday. The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner went down shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing nearly everyone onboard.

Seated in 11A, Ramesh reportedly jumped from the aircraft during the crash sequence. A video from the scene shows him, injured but conscious, walking near the wreckage.

Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik confirmed to ANI that one passenger survived the crash.

The UAE has expressed its solidarity and sincere condolences to the Republic of India over the victims of the Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad Airport, which resulted in dozens of deaths.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of India, over this tragedy.

Police in the Indian city of Ahmedabad said they had collected 204 dead bodies after a London-bound passenger plane with 242 people on board crashed into residential buildings after takeoff on Thursday.

"We have found 204 bodies," city police commissioner GS Malik told AFP, adding that 41 injured people were "under treatment".

The dead included those from the plane crash and from buildings into which the plane smashed. "Rescue work is ongoing," he said.

India’s Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) said that around 50 to 60 medical students were taken to hospital after the Air India flight crashed into a doctors' hostel near Ahmedabad airport.

According to the association, five students remain unaccounted for, while at least two are in the ICU. Relatives of some doctors are also reported missing.

FAIMA added that most of the passengers from the ill-fated flight were brought to the hospital deceased.

King Charles has said he and Queen Camilla are "desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning," following the tragic Air India plane crash.

In a statement, the King offered his "special prayers and deepest possible sympathy" to the families and friends of those affected across multiple countries.

He also paid tribute to the "heroic efforts of the emergency services and all those providing help and support at this most heartbreaking and traumatic time."

Police in the Indian city of Ahmedabad said no survivors were expected after a London-bound passenger plane with 242 on board crashed Thursday, warning of more deaths where the jet smashed down.

"There appears to be no survivor in the crash," city police commissioner GS Malik told AFP. "And since the airplane has fallen on an area which was residential and had some offices, there are more casualties as well". He did not give further details of those killed on the ground.

Indian expatriates in the UAE paid heartfelt tributes on Thursday to the victims of the tragic Ahmedabad air crash.

At a curtain-raiser event for International Yoga Day, the Indian Consulate in Dubai observed a minute of silence in memory of those who lost their lives.

Consul General Satish Kumar Sivan led the solemn tribute, joined by community leaders, yoga instructors, and members of the media. Attendees expressed their condolences and solidarity with the families affected by the disaster.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad is "heartbreaking", and expressed grief.

"My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones grieving this terrible loss. We share your pain. Dear @narendramodi, Europe stands in solidarity with you and the people of India in this moment of sorrow," she said.

In a message to Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his “deepest condolences” in the aftermath of the Air India crash.

“Please convey my sincere sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, as well as my wishes for a speedy recovery to all those injured in this disaster,” he said in a letter published on the Kremlin’s website.

Flights between the UAE and Ahmedabad faced delays after Air India flight , crashed near Ahmedabad airport.

UAE airlines, including flydubai and Emirates, are monitoring the situation. While most flights remain on schedule, some like SpiceJet’s SG016 from Dubai have been delayed.

The crash led to a temporary suspension of operations at Ahmedabad airport, which has since resumed. Air India has set up emergency support, and passengers are advised to check with airlines for travel updates.

All scheduled flight operations from Ahmedabad Airport have resumed since 4.05 pm India time.

“It is recommended that travellers check flight status directly with the airline and monitor the airline’s websites for further updates," Airports Authority of India said.

5 dead, many injured at medical students' hostel in Ahmedabad where Air India plane crashed. Authorities said the plane went down outside the airport perimeter, in a crowded residential area, which local media said included a hostel where medical students and young doctors live.

The London-bound Air India flight crashed into a doctors' hostel near the Ahmedabad Airport shortly after took off on Thursday, a senior police officer said . A senior police officer said that 70–80% of the crash site has been cleared and urged the public to cooperate in creating a green corridor for ambulances.

"After the takeoff, the plane crashed here and after a preliminary enquiry, we got to know that the ... plane crashed into a building, which is a doctors' hostel. After a few minutes of the incident, the concerned authorities reached the spot... We have cleared about 70 per cent to 80 per cent of the area... We urge all the people to cooperate with us so that we can make a green corridor for the ambulance to go to the hospital," the senior officer stated.

Ramila, a resident of Ahmedabad, recounted a harrowing moment after the Air India flight crash near the airport on Thursday. Speaking to ANI, she said her son, who was at the doctors’ hostel for a lunch break, jumped from the second floor when the aircraft crashed nearby.

“He suffered injuries but is safe,” she said.

Poonam Patel, also at the Civil Hospital, said her sister-in-law was aboard the London-bound flight. “Within an hour, I got the news that the plane had crashed. So I came here,” she told ANI.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi says crash is “heartbreaking beyond words”

In a social media post, Modi said the tragedy in Ahmedabad “has stunned and saddened us.”

"In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it,” he said, adding he has been in touch with ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed deep concern over the crash of an Air India flight bound for London Gatwick, which went down in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

“The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating,” Starmer said in a statement.

He added that he is being regularly updated on the situation and extended his condolences to those affected: “My thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.”

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a detailed investigation into the crash of Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport. The aircraft, bound for London Gatwick, crashed just outside the airport perimeter.

No cause has been confirmed yet, but DGCA officials are collecting flight data, voice recordings, and witness statements. Boeing representatives are also expected to assist in the probe.

This is one of India’s most serious recent aviation incidents involving a wide-body aircraft. Authorities have not released details on casualties or survivors. Officials have urged caution amid speculation about engine failure or flight control issues, awaiting official findings.

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani is feared to have been among the passengers on the Air India flight bound for the UK that crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday, according to multiple media reports.

Media reported accessing the passenger manifest, which lists Rupani as seated in the second row of the aircraft. However, an official confirmation regarding his presence onboard is still awaited.

All flight operations at Ahmedabad airport have been suspended following the crash of an Air India flight. An airport spokesperson confirmed that the airport is now closed and will remain so until further notice.

Air India has officially confirmed the crash of its Ahmedabad–London flight and released details about those on board. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft, which took off from Ahmedabad at 13:38 hrs, was carrying a total of 242 passengers and crew members.

According to the airline, the nationalities of those onboard include:

• 169 Indian nationals

• 53 British nationals

• 1 Canadian national

• 7 Portuguese nationals

Several injured individuals are being transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Air India has set up a dedicated passenger hotline at 1800 5691 444 for information related to those on board. The airline has urged media personnel not to contact this number, and instead use the designated media contact at +91 9821414954 for queries.

Air India is fully cooperating with authorities in the ongoing investigation and will provide regular updates via its official X handle and on airindia.com.

Indian media outlets have shared videos on social media showing the moment an Air India flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Gujarat’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

A 17-second clip captures the aircraft plunging into a residential area, minutes after it departed for London Gatwick around 1:30pm.

While Air India has yet to release full details on flight AI171, sources indicate the plane was carrying 242 passengers. Visuals from the crash site show thick black smoke billowing into the sky near the airport.

Visuals from the scene showed debris engulfed in flames with thick black smoke rising high into the sky. Footage also captured people being moved on stretchers and rushed away in ambulances for medical treatment.
Rescue and relief operations continue as authorities work to determine the cause of the crash.

Air India has issued a statement regarding the incident involving Flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, which occurred on 12 June 2025. The airline said it is currently gathering details about the situation and promised to provide further updates as soon as possible.

Flight Radar has released an image showing the crash of Air India flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London. The last signal from the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registered VT-ANB, was received at 08:08:51 UTC, just seconds after takeoff.

Three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, totaling 90 personnel, have been deployed from Gandhinagar to the plane crash site. Additionally, three more teams, including NDRF and ANU units, are being dispatched from Vadodara, officials cited by ANI reported.

Visuals from the site show a thick plume of grey smoke rising from the ground. Witnesses reported seeing several people being taken to hospitals from the airport area. Firefighting teams have been rushed to the scene, where dense smoke continues to billow. Authorities have closed all roads leading to the crash site.

The aircraft involved was an Air India Boeing Dreamliner 787 passenger plane, with a capacity of 300 passengers. Bound for London, it was carrying a large amount of fuel for the long journey.

The fire brigade has rushed to the scene, and emergency response teams are being deployed. Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of the crash.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as emergency response teams, including fire brigade units, rushed to the crash site. Smoke was seen rising from the Adani-operated airport premises following the incident. The State Police Control Room confirmed the crash to news agency ANI. Further details, including the cause of the crash and the condition of the passengers, are awaited as rescue and relief operations continue.

Preliminary information indicates the aircraft crashed in the Meghaninagar area, sparking panic among local residents. Smoke was seen rising from within the Adani-operated airport premises.

An Air India plane with 242 passengers on board has crashed in Gujarat's Ahmedabad, the State Police Control Room confirmed to news agency ANI.

The London-bound flight reportedly went down shortly after takeoff near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, according to media reports.

Thick plumes from the crash site were visible as far as Vastrapur. Emergency teams, including the fire brigade, were rushed to the scene.

Further details are awaited.