What we know so far after Air India flight to London Gatwick crashes | World News
An Air India flight which was en route to London Gatwick has crashed in India.
At least 242 people were on board the flight when it crashed in the northwestern Indian city of Ahmedabad, police have said.
More than 50 of the passengers are British nationals.
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Here is what we know so far.
Where did the plane crash?
Air India flight AI171 took off from Ahmedabad Airport at 1.38pm local time on Thursday.
Minutes after take-off, it crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the director general of the directorate of civil aviation, told the Associated Press.
Air India said of these, 53 are British nationals, 169 are Indian nationals, seven are Portuguese and one person is Canadian.
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Huge plumes of smoke near Indian airport
The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals.
According to flight tracking website Flightrader, the aircraft had reached a height of 625ft before crashing. Its last signal was received less than a minute after take off.
Footage from the scene shows thick black smoke rising towards the sky close to the airport.
It also shows images of people being moved in stretchers and taken away in ambulances. The exact number of casualties is not known.
It is also unknown at this stage what caused the crash.
Thick smoke rising from the scene of the crash. Pic: Mohan Nakum/AP
What we know about the plane
The aircraft was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
Air India confirmed that the plane had crashed in a statement on X.
The Air India plane before the crash. Pic: Takagi
It said: “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025.”
The airline said it is currently “ascertaining the details” and would share anything further on its social media sites and website.
Workers clearing debris from the crash site. Pic: Reuters
London Gatwick also confirmed that the flight was meant to arrive in the UK at 6.25pm local time on Thursday.
All flights to and from Ahmedabad have now been suspended.
Boeing, the American aircraft manufacturer which makes the plane, said it is “aware of initial reports” and is working to gather more information.
Pic: Reuters
Pilot ‘made a mayday signal’ before crash
Aviation expert Julian Bray told Sky News that he understands the pilot of flight AI171 managed to make a mayday call before the crash.
This would mean the crew was aware of a problem before the incident happened.
Firefighters work at the site of the crash. Pic: AP
A mayday call is an internationally recognised distress signal used in radio communication. It indicates an imminent danger and the need for immediate assistance.
Mr Bray added it is “unusual” for a “state of the art” plane to crash.
“There shouldn’t have been a problem, in taking off, especially not with a Dreamliner. It’s got a pretty good track record,” he said.
Firefighters work at the site of an airplane that crashed in India’s northwestern city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state, India, Thursday, June 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
What has the UK said?
Sir Keir Starmer said the scenes emerging from the site of the crash in Ahmedabad are “devastating”.
The prime minister said he is being kept updated as the situation develops. Buckingham Palace said King Charles is also being briefed on the crash.
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Moment before and after crash
Foreign Minister David Lammy said that he is “deeply saddened by news”.
In a statement on X, Mr Lammy wrote: “My thoughts are with all those affected. The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support.”
The UK’s foreign office said it is currently “working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved”.
It said Britons who have concerns can call on a dedicated telephone line.
What has India said?
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the plane crash was “heartbreaking beyond words”.
“The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us,” he said.
“In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it.”
The country’s civil aviation minister said he is “shocked and devastated”.
“I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action,” Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said.
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“Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.”