Updated 4:05 pm EST
A London-bound Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner carrying 242 people crashed moments after takeoff 12JUN from Ahmedabad, India, sending a Mayday call before plummeting outside the airport perimeter and erupting in black smoke.
The flight was en route to LGW and included passengers from multiple countries: 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. There was only one survior among the 230 passengers and 12 crew.
The plane crashed in a residential area, hitting a medical college on its way down about three and a half miles out. "Some locals would have also died," said Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik. "Exact figures on casualties are being ascertained."
Early Friday local time, police said that 269 bodies had been brought to the main hospital so far.
In a video posted to X, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said, "Our teams are working around the clock to support passengers, crew and their families, as well as investigators, however we can."
"The injured passengers have been taken by local authorities to the nearest hospitals," he said at a podium. "We are actively working with the authorities on emergency response efforts. A special team of caregivers from Air India will soon be on their way to Ahmedabad to provide additional support."
Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed on X that there was a Canadian national on the flight. “Canada’s transportation officials are in close contact with counterparts and I am receiving regular updates as the response to this tragedy unfolds,” he said.
And Air Canada offered its condolescenes and pledged assistance for Air India, stating on X: "Our thoughts and sympathies extend to all those affected by flight AI171. Air Canada stands ready to assist our Star Alliance partner Air India."
According to India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft departed at 1:39 pm local time and soon issued a Mayday call to air traffic control. However, shortly after that distress signal, the aircraft stopped responding to further communication. It crashed just outside the airport’s perimeter, with local TV crews capturing the aftermath, showing smoke pouring from the crash site within a residential area near the airport.
The wide international mix of passengers has triggered diplomatic responses.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed his condolences on social media, stating he is “deeply saddened” by the news and confirmed that the UK is “working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support.” The British government has also released a consular hotline (+44 20 7008 5008) for affected families. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the crash as “devastating” and said he is being kept informed as the situation develops.
Air India confirmed that the aircraft involved was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, one of the most widely used long-haul aircraft in the world.
Boeing, the US-based manufacturer of the jet, said in a statement: “We are aware of initial reports and are working to gather more information.”
Given the aircraft’s American manufacture, Indian operation, and British destination — as well as the presence of passengers from several countries — the likelihood of a multi-national investigation is high.
Aviation expert and CNN Business Editor-at-Large Richard Quest said that while India’s civil aviation authorities will formally lead the probe, investigators from the US and the UK, as well as representatives from the passengers’ home countries, will likely be involved as accredited parties.
“A lot of people will be accredited to the investigation, but the core ones will be the Americans, the British and the Indians,” Quest explained.
The crash site is being secured as recovery and investigation efforts intensify. Emergency responders, firefighters, and forensic teams have been working in the area, although full details regarding casualties and survivors had not been released.
The aircraft lost its signal at just 625 feet altitude, according to data from FlightRadar24, which underscores the early and abrupt nature of the incident. The cause of the crash is not yet known, and officials have cautioned against speculation until flight data recorders are recovered and analyzed.
The incident is also likely to renew scrutiny on Air India’s safety practices and Boeing’s aircraft reliability — especially given the 787's history of occasional mechanical and electrical issues, though it has a strong safety record overall.
Ahmedabad Airport said in a post on X that it has resumed operations with limited flights, advising passengers to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight schedule.
Advisors with clients flying from or transiting through India and the UK are encouraged to stay updated on consular guidance and flight operations from the affected regions. Rebooking and refund protocols are expected to be clarified once the investigation stabilizes.
