A London-bound Air India flight carrying 242 people—including 53 British nationals—has crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad, India, with police now confirming there appear to be no survivors.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI171, was headed for London Gatwick but went down shortly after take-off at 1:39pm local time on Wednesday. Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner G.S. Malik told the Associated Press: “It appears there are no survivors in the plane crash. Exact figures on casualties are being ascertained.”
The aircraft reportedly crashed into the hostel of a medical college in the densely populated Meghani Nagar area, not far from the airport. Footage from the scene shows thick black smoke billowing across the skyline as emergency services rushed to contain the wreckage and support rescue efforts.
Air India has confirmed that the 242 people onboard included:
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169 Indian nationals
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53 British nationals
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7 Portuguese nationals
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1 Canadian national
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12 crew members
Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Air India’s parent company Tata Group, described the incident as a “devastating event.”
“With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India flight AI171… was involved in a tragic accident today,” Chandrasekaran said in a statement. “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected.”
The airline added that it has activated an emergency centre and is working to provide immediate assistance to the families of those onboard.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected.”
Investigators are on site, and the cause of the crash is still being established. Eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft gave a “Mayday” distress signal moments after take-off before losing all contact. This incident marks the first known crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft’s introduction in 2009.
The UK Foreign Office has not yet commented publicly but is expected to issue a statement shortly. Consular teams are reportedly coordinating with Indian authorities and preparing to support British families.
More updates will follow as emergency services assess the full scale of the disaster.
