Ahmedabad Plane Crash Highlights: Boeing CEO cancels Paris Airshow 2025 visit, GE postpones event amid global outcry

Boeing confirmed it is aware of initial reports regarding the crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, adding that it is gathering more information. This marks the first-ever crash of a 787 Dreamliner, a twin-engine widebody introduced in 2009. The aircraft was carrying 242 people, including 169 Indians and 53 Britons. The plane reportedly failed to gain altitude and crashed into a residential area five minutes after departure. Boeing shares dropped nearly 9% in pre-market trading. The incident comes days before the Paris Air Show, where Boeing was set to showcase its jets.

To mourn the tragic incident, which claimed the lives of all the passengers, Air India has put up a plain black image on its social media handles.

“In addition to the dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444, we have added another hotline number for foreign nationals +91 8062779200,” said Air India in a statement.

According to reports, around 50-60 MMBS students have also been injured after the Air India flight crashed into a hostel for doctors. They have been taken to the hospital for treatment.

“We are deeply shocked about the news of Al 77, crashing in Ahmedabad. News have become more gruesome after finding out that the flight had crashed in BJMC, hostel & many MBBS students have also been injured! We are monitoring the situation closely & are ready for any help!” FAIMA Doctors Association said in a statement.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will lead the probe into the Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad airport, an official told PTI. Senior AAIB officials, including the Director General and Director of Investigation, are heading to the crash site.

Operating under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, AAIB is tasked with examining aircraft accidents and serious incidents within Indian airspace. The bureau classifies safety occurrences and conducts detailed investigations to determine causes and recommend safety improvements to prevent future tragedies.

Around 150 CRPF personnel, including troops from the 100 Rapid Action Force and CRPF Gandhinagar, have been deployed for rescue operations after Air India flight AI 171 crashed near Ahmedabad airport shortly after takeoff. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, reportedly struck a doctor’s hostel in the Meghani Nagar area. Three NDRF teams with 90 personnel, Western Railway’s Disaster Management Team, medical staff, and RPF are also aiding rescue efforts. Ahmedabad Police have issued an emergency helpline number (07925620359) for updates. DGCA and local authorities continue to investigate the incident.

All 242 passengers and crew aboard the Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday have died, according to a report by The Indian Express, which cited local police sources.

At least 91 killed. A large number of fatalities are feared after the ill-fated Air India flight AI 171 crashed into Atulyam, a superspeciality residential complex housing doctors, shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport. According to sources in the CISF, approximately 200 people were present in the building’s 94 flats at the time of the crash.

The Ahmedabad Civil Hospital received several severely charred bodies, many of which were beyond recognition. Dr Pranjal Modi, director of the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre—located within the hospital campus—confirmed that even survivors who were brought in unconscious had suffered extensive burns.

Grief-stricken relatives, many of whom had traveled from nearby districts like Anand to see off their loved ones on the flight to London, waited anxiously for updates. “Most of the victims are severely injured and unidentifiable due to facial and body burns. Some are unconscious. Our immediate focus is to stabilize and save those who can be treated,” said Dr Modi, who is closely attending to the families of the victims.

Seven Portuguese nationals were onboard the AI171 flight, the Indian Embassy in Lisbon confirmed. Embassy of India in Lisbon, Portugal has assured full assistance to affected families.

For urgent support, the Embassy has provided its emergency contact number: +351 911 991 939. Efforts are ongoing to coordinate aid and information for those impacted.

Replying to a question by ANI, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “What has happened in Ahmedabad is a very tragic accident. We have lost a lot of people. We extend our deepest condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones. There are several foreigners. You will receive the updates from the relevant departments: Ministry of Civil Aviation, Air India, and others. That is the latest I can share. It is an evolving situation. The rescue operations are on. We need to wait a little more time for exact details to be put out…”

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was confirmed to be onboard the ill-fated Air India flight. A photo of him taken inside the aircraft shortly before the crash has surfaced on X (formerly Twitter).

Flight operations resume at Ahmedabad airport, says Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Visuals from the crash site show the mangled engine of the London-bound Air India flight, which crashed into a residential area shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

The nose section of the ill-fated Air India B787 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed into a building shortly after takeoff on Wednesday afternoon.

Visuals from the crash site show the severely damaged nose lodged into a residential structure, with debris scattered and thick smoke billowing in the vicinity. The aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, was carrying 242 passengers when it crashed moments after departing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, and multiple agencies are engaged in rescue and relief efforts. The area remains cordoned off as investigations continue.

The moment when passengers boarding a different flight saw smoke from the Air India 171 crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

“We are aware that a flight from Ahmedabad to London has crashed near Ahmedabad airport. We are working with local authorities to urgently establish the facts and provide support. Our thoughts are with all those affected,” reads UK in India post.

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel reaches Ahmedabad’s Asarwa Civil Hospital, where the plane crash injured have been brought for treatment.

Three NDRF teams with 90 personnel have arrived at the Ahmedabad crash site from Gandhinagar. Three additional teams are en route from Vadodara to aid in the ongoing rescue operations.

At least 30 bodies have been recovered from a building at the crash site in Ahmedabad, western India, according to rescue personnel, Reuters reports. Meanwhile, the rescue operations are underway.

A man claiming to be an eyewitness to the Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar recounted the terrifying moments.

“I have my office just 200 metres from the site. As soon as I stepped out, a deafening noise shook the area, and smoke filled the sky. There was immediate chaos,” he said.

“When I reached the spot, debris was everywhere, fire had broken out, and nothing was clearly visible. We later found out that parts of the aircraft, including its wings, had fallen here. There’s a residential building nearby where doctors live. We are unsure about casualties yet.”

A private airline’s flight from Kolkata to Ahmedabad was forced to return to the NSCBI Airport on Thursday after Ahmedabad airport was closed due to the Air India crash. IndiGo flight 6E-318, which took off at 1:49 pm, turned back mid-air, an Airports Authority of India (AAI) spokesperson in Kolkata confirmed. The aircraft returned to Kolkata around 2.52 pm, the spokesperson said.

In the wake of the Air India plane crash and subsequent airport closure, Indian Railways will reportedly operate special trains from Ahmedabad to New Delhi and Ahmedabad to Mumbai to facilitate passenger movement.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (@MoCA_GoI) has activated a helpline number 9974111327 following the AI171 crash at Ahmedabad Airport. Authorities urged the public to contact the number for assistance or information, assuring that every possible effort is being made to support affected families.

Following the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) announced that an Operational Control Room has been activated at the Ministry of Civil Aviation in New Delhi to coordinate emergency response efforts.

AAI urged those seeking assistance to contact the Delhi Control Room at 011-24610843 or 9650391859, and the Ahmedabad Operation Control Room at 9978405304 or 079-23251900.

“We remain fully committed to ensuring a prompt and coordinated response, and extend our complete support to all those affected,” AAI said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweets, “Pained beyond words by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. Disaster response forces have been quickly rushed to the crash site. Spoke with the Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, and the Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad, to assess the situation.”

PM Narendra Modi tweets, “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.”

CISF is conducting rescue operations at the AI 171 crash site, Ahmedabad.

Following the Air India plane crash near the doctors’ hostel, Ramila, the mother of a boy who sustained injuries, said, “My son had gone to the hostel during his lunch break when the plane crashed there. He is safe, and I’ve spoken to him. He jumped from the second floor, so he suffered some injuries,” she said after arriving at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom tweets, “The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating. I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.”

Rescue operations are underway at the Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad, with multiple agencies involved in relief and recovery efforts. Thick smoke can be seen rising from scattered debris spread across the area.