A Boeing 787 operated by Air India crashed Thursday near Ahmedabad airport in western India, carrying 242 passengers on what was supposed to be a routine flight to London. The aircraft went down just minutes after departure, though the specific circumstances that led to the tragedy have not been disclosed.
The plane dove into the Meghaani residential district, triggering a devastating explosion and sending towering black smoke across the skyline. Air India confirmed the international makeup of passengers aboard the doomed flight included 169 Indians, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian traveler.
BREAKING: Passenger Plane Crashes Near Ahmedabad Airport, Emergency Services Pressedhttps://t.co/R3niDR61SU
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. pic.twitter.com/MJ9Bzbms8d— Republic (@republic) June 12, 2025
Reuters confirmed 242 people were on the aircraft when it crashed. The plane carried full fuel tanks necessary for the transatlantic journey to Europe, which aviation experts believe intensified both the explosion and the subsequent fire. Emergency responders, including fire departments and medical teams, rushed to the crash site, where rescue crews continue searching for survivors. Officials have not yet released casualty figures or confirmed fatalities. The incident represents the Boeing 787's first crash since the aircraft model began commercial operations in 2011.
Investigators have not determined what caused the aircraft to go down. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will begin a formal investigation in the coming days, while Boeing officials are evaluating whether to deploy a specialized technical team to help analyze the failure. Aviation authorities point out that aircraft carrying maximum fuel loads for international flights face increased fire risks that can hamper emergency response efforts.
Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah confirmed that India's federal government will provide comprehensive support for both crisis management and the investigation into what caused this unprecedented aviation accident.
