Air India plane crashes near Ahmedabad Airport, 30 Dead; Here’s what we know so far
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Ahmedabad: A tragic air crash involving an Air India Boeing Dreamliner took place near the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon, killing at least 30 people and injuring several others. The flight, AI171, had departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:39 pm, bound for London Gatwick, but crashed within five minutes of takeoff in the Meghani Nagar area, a densely populated locality close to the airport.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft — identified as B787 VT-ANB — was carrying 242 people, including two pilots and ten cabin crew members. The flight was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with First Officer Clive Kunder as co-pilot. Visuals circulating on social media show a thick plume of smoke rising from the crash site, as emergency responders and local residents rushed to assist with rescue operations.
The crash site being close to residential buildings raised fears of greater casualties, though the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. Several of the injured have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Air India confirmed the incident in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. We are in the process of gathering more information.”
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu expressed deep shock over the crash. "We are on highest alert. Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to provide medical aid and relief at the crash site," he said, while confirming that he is personally monitoring the situation.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who rushed to Ahmedabad from Surat, directed officials to carry out rescue and relief operations on an urgent basis. He also announced the creation of a green corridor to speed up the transfer of injured passengers to hospitals. Patel said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had spoken to him and assured full central assistance.
Speaking to reporters, Amit Shah said he has spoken with the Gujarat Chief Minister, state Home Minister, and Ahmedabad Police Commissioner regarding the crash and assured that the central government will extend all necessary help.
Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran offered his condolences and said the airline is focused on supporting the affected families. “We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site,” he said, adding that an emergency centre has been activated for families seeking information.
Operations at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have been temporarily suspended until further notice, an airport spokesperson confirmed.
London Gatwick Airport also issued a statement saying the flight was scheduled to land at 18:25 local time.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has dispatched the Director General of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) along with a team to Ahmedabad to begin a detailed investigation into the crash.
The exact cause of the incident is still unknown and will be determined after a thorough probe by the authorities.
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Kharge has put 'full stop' to leadership speculation in Karnataka: Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday said AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge has put a "full stop" on the issue of leadership change in the state.
Kharge's statement has a lot of significance and there ends the matter for now. Everyone in the party should respect and accept this, he said.
Parameshwara was referring to Kharge's statement on Thursday that there was no chief minister change in Karnataka "for now" and that the leadership issue in the state will be resolved soon.
Kharge's statement came amid speculation within the party and political circles about a possible decision on leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after May 4, once the results for assembly elections in four states and one union territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segments in Karnataka, are announced.
"Mallikarjun Kharge is our party's national president. He has a lot of experience. Several people, including me, have said that in the case of change (in leadership), if he (Kharge) comes (as CM), no one could speak in front of his experience and everyone would accept it. While replying to it, Kharge said that there is a chief minister now, and there is no question of change as of now," Parameshwara said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I welcome his (Kharge) statement because I feel he has expressed his opinion after a discussion involving him, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala (both AICC general secretaries). I may be right or wrong. I feel that his statement has a lot of significance. So that matter ends there for now."
Responding to a question on repeated statements by several party leaders regarding leadership change, the home minister said, what the AICC chief has said on the matter is final. It should be respected and accepted by all in the party. There is no meaning in interpreting it further.
"I cannot respond to what others say, but I can say my opinion. In my opinion, the AICC chief is the supreme authority in the party. He, along with Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, are our high command. If the high command has said something, we should both respect and accept it. There ends the matter," he said.
Kharge has put a "full stop" on the issue, he further said, adding that, "When he has said there is no change. It is a full stop."
Responding to a question on Parameshwara's recent statement about Kharge becoming chief minister, the AICC chief on Thursday said, "You (media), he (Parameshwara), and people at the top say that it is better if I become CM. But more than fate, as per my ideology and my service to the party so far, Sonia Gandhi makes decisions regarding me."
He had further said, "But that question does not arise now. There is already a CM here. If Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and I together have to take any decision in that direction, it will take some time. Let's wait and see."
Kharge on Friday too said no date has been fixed yet to discuss a possible leadership change in Karnataka.
Supporters of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar have been insisting on his elevation in line with a reported power-sharing agreement with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah when the party won the 2023 Assembly elections. Some have even claimed that "sweet news" is expected by May 15, which is Shivakumar's birthday.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025.
The speculation has been fuelled by a reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.
