**Major Air Disaster as Air India Jet Bound for London Crashes After Take-off**
A tragic air disaster has struck on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India, as an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner on its way to London Gatwick crashed just seconds after lifting off from the runway. The incident unfolded early in the afternoon local time on Thursday, leaving more than 240 souls feared lost or affected in one of the gravest air accidents in recent Indian aviation history.
The chairman of Air India, N. Chandrasekaran, has publicly expressed his “profound sorrow” in the wake of the crash. In a sombre statement released to the press, he said, “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event. At this difficult time, our primary focus is on supporting all those impacted—passengers, crew, and their families—providing every possible assistance in close coordination with emergency response teams.”
The plane involved, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner registered as VT-ANB, was carrying a total of 244 people, including 232 passengers and 12 crew members. The aircraft was en route from Ahmedabad, a major city in western India, to London’s Gatwick Airport. According to reports from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the crash site is located in the Meghani Nagar area, a densely populated residential neighbourhood a few kilometres from the airport.
Video footage circulated online soon after the incident, showing a huge fireball and thick plumes of smoke rising from the impact zone. Eyewitnesses have described scenes of chaos and devastation, as the aircraft struck several dwellings before coming to rest amid burning debris. Emergency services rushed to the scene, with firefighters and medical teams working around the clock in hopes of finding survivors and securing the area.
Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, director general of the DGCA, confirmed to the Associated Press that the crash occurred at approximately 1.38pm local time (9.08am BST). He stated, “Regrettably, there were 232 passengers as well as 12 members of the crew on board. All efforts are now focused on rescue, recovery, and providing assistance to affected families.”
Authorities at Ahmedabad airport confirmed the activation of full-scale emergency protocols. A crisis support centre has been set up to provide information and counselling to distraught relatives gathering for updates on their loved ones. Air India has pledged to offer ongoing assistance and will continue to work with local and international authorities as the investigation unfolds.
The crash stands as the first recorded fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 since the aircraft’s introduction, adding a layer of complexity to the imminent safety probes. The Aviation Safety Network, which maintains a global database of aviation incidents, echoed that observation in its latest advisory.
Meanwhile, Air India released a brief official statement, noting, “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. We are currently ascertaining the full details and will issue further updates as they become available.”
Reports from aviation monitoring service Flightradar24 indicate that the aircraft’s last signal was detected just 51 seconds after take-off, at 08:08:51 UTC. The flight data suggests a sudden and catastrophic descent as the Dreamliner began its journey.
As the world absorbs the magnitude of this aviation tragedy, questions about the cause remain unanswered. International aviation authorities, alongside Indian officials, have launched a comprehensive investigation. Commentators note that the results of the inquiry will be eagerly watched by both the public and the aviation industry at large.
With families in both India and the United Kingdom now facing anxious waits for definite news, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent to even the most routine of flights. For now, communities in Ahmedabad, London, and beyond are left mourning, as authorities gather the facts and try to make sense of a disaster that has stunned countless people across the globe.