A devastating scene unfolded in western India Thursday morning when an Air India flight bound for London’s Gatwick Airport crashed just minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad — killing more than 100 people and leaving no known survivors, according to local authorities.
Among the 242 people on board were 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and over 160 Indian citizens. The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, went down in a densely populated residential area, crashing directly into a medical college hostel, triggering a massive explosion and fireball that sent thick black smoke billowing across the sky.
Ahmedabad police commissioner Gyanendra Singh Malik confirmed: “There appear to be no survivors.” He added that “some locals would also have died” in the crash, indicating the full death toll may stretch beyond those onboard.
Video footage circulating online captures the terrifying final seconds — the plane descending rapidly over rooftops before slamming into the building, followed by an enormous explosion. Aftermath images reveal wreckage embedded in the hostel structure, with pieces of the landing gear, fuselage, and tail protruding from the shattered concrete.
Over 1,100 Dreamliners are currently in operation
As rescue crews fought flames and dug through debris in search of remains and answers, Boeing responded to the unfolding disaster.
“We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them,” the U.S. planemaker said in a statement.
“Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected.”
The crash marks the first-ever fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, one of the company’s most modern and advanced aircraft. Over 1,100 Boeing 787 Dreamliners are currently in operation across the globe. More than 50 airlines use the aircraft, including major international carriers like British Airways, Air France, Emirates, and American Airlines.
King Charle’s words
In the UK, the tragedy sent shockwaves across the nation. Britain’s King Charles released a rare personal statement Thursday afternoon, expressing his heartbreak:
My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning.”
”Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones.”
“I would like to pay a particular tribute to the heroic efforts of the emergency services and all those providing help and support at this most heartbreaking and traumatic time.”