London-bound plane carrying 242 people crashes in India

An Air India plane has crashed near the airport in Ahmedabad. 

The plane was headed for London’s Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom with 242 people on board.

Air India confirmed the crash in a statement on X but did not provide details on casualties.

“Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest,” the statement reads.

The crash reportedly occurred when the aircraft was taking off.

Pictures and videos online show debris on fire, with thick black smoke rising into the sky near the airport.

Flight Radar, a flight-tracking website, said the signal from the plane was lost seconds after take-off, adding that the flight was scheduled to fly from Ahmedabad International Airport to London Gatwick Airport at 09:50 local time. Its scheduled arrival time was 18:25 local time.

The signal was lost at 10:08 local time at 625 feet, less than a minute after take-off.

Gatwick Airport confirmed that the plane travelling from Ahmedabad was due to land at 18:25pm UK time.

“We can confirm that flight AI171 that crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25,” the airport said in a statement.

Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, India’s aviation minister, said officials are on the highest alert as rescue teams have been mobilised.

“We are on the highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action,” he said.

“Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.”