Everything known about UK-bound flight that crashed as Air India releases statement
An Air India flight bound for the UK crashed earlier today (12 June), with 53 Brits among the 242 passengers on board.
Shortly after taking off at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, western India, the plane crashed into a residential area, with some onlookers managing to get the tragic accident on video.
It has since been confirmed that the Boeing 787 Dreamliner took off just after 10.00am local time before it crashed into a building which was being used as accommodation for doctors.
In the aftermath of the accident, all operations at the airport were put on hold as rescue teams rushed to the scene, while statements revealed that the aircraft lost signal 'less than a minute' following take-off.
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Here's everything we know so far.
How did the Air India crash happen and when?
Flight AI171 was scheduled to take off from Ahmedabad and head towards London Gatwick on Thursday 12 June.
But the Boeing 787 Dreamliner failed to complete its full ascent, crashing into the BJ Medical College UG hostel in Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad, an accommodation used by doctors, according to local media.
India's Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) confirmed to the BBC that at least 50 students studying medicine have been taken to hospital after the crash, adding that five are missing, with two in the intensive care unit.
It was reported that the plane lost signal at 10.08am local time (IST) after reaching an altitude of 625 feet.
Who was on board the Air India plane?
242 people were on board at the time of the crash.
169 were Indian nationals, 53 were British, seven were Portuguese, and one was Canadian.
Police have tragically said there appear to be 'no survivors' from the flight.
Rescue workers have been working on the scene of the wreckage, while investigators have started to look into the potential causes of the crash, though this is currently unclear.
Police have also released a list of those 'injured' on Twitter, containing 25 names ranging in age from 18 to 52.
Where did the plane crash?
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed into the BJ Medical College UG hostel in Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad, which housed several doctors.
Following the incident, FAIMA posted on X: "We are deeply shocked about the news of AI (Air India flight AI171), crashing in Ahmedabad!
"News have become more gruesome [sic] after finding out that flight had crushed in BJMC, Hostel & many MBBS students have also been injured!!!!
"We are monitoring the situation closely & are ready for any help!"
Ahmedabad's police chief, GS Malik, said that 41 people were injured and are now being treated.
FAIMA has since released an official update on the crash.
They confirmed that 50 MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) students were admitted and are stable, four to five are currently missing, while two to three are in critical condition in HDU/ICU.
The association added that three to four relatives of resident doctors are missing, while the wife of a 'super specialist doctor' has been found dead.
What has Air India said about the crash?
Following the accident, Air India released a statement, reading: "Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off.
"The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals."
The airline added: "The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals.
"We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information. Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident."
What has Gatwick Airport said about the crash?
Gatwick Airport said in a statement: "We can confirm that flight AI171 that crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also sent his thoughts out to the families of those on the doomed flight.
“The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating,” he said.
“I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.”
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office has updated its travel advice.
“We are aware of a plane crash in Ahmedabad,” it began. “The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved. British nationals who require consular assistance or have concerns about friends or family should call 020 7008 5000.”
How have locals and witnesses been reacting?
Several locals and eyewitnesses have shared their accounts of tragic crash, as Bhoomi Chauhan, who claims to have supposed to have been on the flight, called a local news show after missing the flight by 10 minutes due to traffic.
She said her 'body is shivering' after seeing what happened to her intended flight, and that she is 'devastated' to hear about the crash
A Twitter user who was at Ahmedabad airport shared what they saw at the terminal with a series of snaps.
They captioned the post: "Mere MINUTES after I walk into Ahmedabad airport, a flurry of activity, panic.
"One airport ground personnel member tells me about the massive, massive Air India crash. Everyone is ashen-faced, on the phone, watching out of windows. This is...insane."
One mother also told the BBC that her son went into the doctors' hostel on his lunch break when the plane crashed, though he jumped from the second floor and saved his own life, despite suffering injuries.
Flight tracker reveals more details on crash
Flight tracking site Flight Radar24 posted after the crash: "Scheduled time of departure was 09:50 local time and scheduled arrival time was 18:25 local time.
"The signal from the aircraft was lost at 10:08 local time at 625 feet, less than a minute after take off."
The site added claimed that initial ADS-B data showed the aircraft 'reached a maximum barometric altitude of 625 feet (airport altitude is about 200 feet)', before reportedly descending at a vertical speed of -475 feet per minute.
The site added a further update on Twitter: "We are continuing to process data from receiver sources individually.
"Additional processing confirms #AI171 departed using the full length of Runway 23 at Ahmedabad. RWY 23 is 11,499 feet long."
Topics: Travel, UK News, World News, Air India
Joshua Nair