Air India plane crash: Over 290 dead, one survivor found

AHMEDABAD: Rescuers found only one survivor in Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad – the main city of Indian state of Guajrat – after a London-bound flight crashed in a populated area near the airport soon after taking off.

On the other hand, a police officer told Reuters that more than 290 people were killed in the plane crash.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crewmembers.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, a British national was seated away from his brother, who is still missing.

40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national, is reported to have survived the Air India
crash.

He was seated away from his brother, who remains missing. “There was a huge bang just seconds after takeoff. I ran through smoke and fire.” He is one of the only confirmed… pic.twitter.com/C9BAHFUbko

— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) June 12, 2025

“There was a huge bang just seconds after takeoff. I ran through smoke and fire,” he said.

Meanwhile, reports have been circulating about another survivor, which hasn’t been confirmed so far.

NO SURVIVORS

Earlier, police said no survivors were expected in the plane crash and warned of more deaths where the jet smashed down.

Read more: Pakistan saddened by Air India plane crash

“There appears to be no survivor in the crash,” city police commissioner GS Malik told AFP. “And since the airplane has fallen on an area which was residential and had some offices, there are more casualties as well”. He did not give further details of those killed on the ground.

Later, AFP quoted Ahmedabad police chief, as saying that there “appears to be no survivor”‘ in the India air crash. There are also causalities on the ground, as the ill-fated jet crashed in a populated area near the airport.

Earlier, there were conflicting reports about the fatalities. Some of these Indian media reports put the confirmed number of deaths at 110, while over 40 passengers transferred to the nearby hospitals. The plane crashed on a hostel building of a hospital in Meghani area, which has also raised fears of 50 to 60 doctors or other medical staff being among the plane crash casualties.

Meanwhile, the passengers also 11 children. As per details, 169 Indian nationals were aboard the plane, along with 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals.

Air India issued confirmation of the crash. In a statement, the airline said, “Flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick Airport has encountered an accident. Air India is assessing the situation. Details will be shared soon.”

DETAILS

The plane reportedly crashed less than a minute after takeoff. Flight radar says it received signals from aircraft just seconds after takeoff. The plane was at an altitude of 625 feet when the signal was lost.

Initial visuals showed debris, fire and thick black smoke rising from the reported crash site. Social media visuals also show people being taken away in ambulances and stretchers.

Indian Aviation issued a high alert. Hospitals in Ahmedabad are also on high alert. Nine flights scheduled from Delhi to Ahmedabad have been postponed. Flight operations have also been suspended at Ahmedabad Airport, and the airport has been declared inactive.

Former chief minister of Indian state of Gujrat, Vijay Rupani, is feared to be among passengers on the flight, Indian media has reported. Confirmation is awaited.

The British Foreign Office is in contact with Indian authorities, the British Foreign Office statement said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for Ahmedabad after the accident.