A tragic air accident occurred this morning, Thursday, June 12, at Ahmedabad Airport in western India, where an Air India aircraft crashed during takeoff. The news was reported by major local television networks, though no official details about casualties or injuries have been released yet.
The plane was en route to London’s Gatwick Airport when it encountered difficulties shortly after beginning its takeoff run. Footage broadcast by local media shows the wreckage engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke rising over the airport area, highlighting the scale of the disaster.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of India (DGCA), there were 242 people on board: 230 passengers, 2 pilots, and 10 crew members. The cause of the crash is still unknown, but experts suggest that the large amount of fuel required for an intercontinental flight may have worsened the post-crash fire, making rescue efforts more difficult.
PlaneCrash: Air India’s AI171 (Ahmedabad–London) with around 242 passengers on board has reportedly crashed near #Ahmedabad (AMD) airport during takeoff. Official confirmation awaited. #Aviation
— The Chennai Skies (@ChennaiFlights), June 12, 2025
Some videos released by media outlets show rescue teams in action: injured passengers being carried on stretchers and quickly loaded into ambulances, in scenes of chaos and urgency.
Airport authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, while emergency operations continue to secure the area and assist those involved. The full extent of the casualties remains unknown at this time.
