AHMEDABAD : At least 50 charred bodies have been recovered after an Air India passenger plane with 242 people on board crashed near the Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

The flight—a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner—was en route to London with 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The aircraft went down close to Forensic Cross Road, not far from the city’s airport.

The plane crashed soon after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, around 2 pm, police said. According to reports, former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was initially listed among the passengers, but sources close to him told  he was not on board and had taken a different flight.

According to DGCA, there were 242 people on board the aircraft, including 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew. The aircraft was under the command of Capt Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer Clive Kundar. Capt Sumeet Sabharwal is an LTC with 8200 hours of experience. The copilot had 1100 hours of flying experience, the DGCA said.

“As per ATC, the aircraft departed from Ahmadabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It gave a MAYDAY Call to ATC, but thereafter, no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC. The aircraft, immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. Heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site,” the DGCA said.

“Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest,” Air India said in a statement.

“With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating from Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event,” Air India Chairman, N Chandrasekaran said in a statement.

 “At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted,” the statement read.

 “Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. An emergency centre has been activated and support team have been set up for families seeking information,” he added.

Further details, including casualties or the cause of the crash, were not immediately available. “We are acquiring details about the casualties,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kanan Desai. Emergency services, including police and fire brigade teams, have been dispatched to the crash site, according to the State Police Control Room.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has directed the rescue and relief operations to be carried out on a war footing, along with immediate medical treatment for the injured.

The CM also instructed the administration to immediately set up a green corridor for the swift transport of injured passengers to hospitals and to prioritise all medical arrangements.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to Chief Minister Patel, assuring full support from the Centre. Shah confirmed that NDRF teams and other central agencies would provide every possible assistance in the ongoing rescue and relief efforts.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said that he is personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action.

 “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,” the minister said in a statement on X.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the incident, the Ahmedabad airport has been temporarily shut down.

 “All flight operations are temporarily suspended until further notice. Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for the latest updates before proceeding to the airport. We request your cooperation and patience as authorities manage this evolving situation,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

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