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According to local news agency ANI on Thursday evening, the police found one survivor in seat 11A, citing Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik as saying. Previously, local media had reported that all 242 passengers on board are believed to have been killed.
Air India has confirmed that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident soon 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, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals," Air India said. The 242 people included 217 adults and 11 children, Reuters said citing a source.
The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals, per Air India.
Search and rescue teams respond to the scene of a plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday, June 12, 2025. Photo: AFP
In addition to the passengers, there were two pilots and 10 crew members, the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation said in a statement.
Moments after the fatal tragedy, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted, calling the crash "heartbreaking." Taking to X, Modi said, "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."
Modi also spoke to India Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu after the aircraft crashed, and has asked them to go to Ahmedabad and ensure all possible assistance is extended to those affected in the wake of the air mishap, ANI reported.
Police officers said the plane crashed in a civilian area near the airport. "The building on which it has crashed is a doctors' hostel ... We have cleared almost 70 to 80 percent of the area and will clear the rest soon," a senior police officer told reporters, according to Reuters.
Five medical students died and many suffered injuries after the flight crashed into the hostel of the BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This includes, four undergraduate students and a postgraduate resident, NDTV reported.
The Times of India reported that the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, sending up a massive plume of black smoke and triggering an immediate emergency response.
Speaking to PTI, an eyewitness who rushed to the accident site recalled the horror incident. "I was at home when we heard a massive sound. When we went out to see what had happened, there was a layer of thick smoke in the air. When we came here, dead bodies and debris from the crashed aircraft were scattered all over," the eyewitness said.
India's Ministry of Civil Aviation said later Thursday that flight operations have resumed at Ahmedabad airport after suspending operations for around two hours due to the aircraft crash, ANI reported.
Source :
Editor: Crystal H
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