Ahmedabad Air India Crash: Tata Group announces Rs 1 crore compensation per victim after flight crashes shortly after takeoff with 242 onboard

A devastating tragedy unfolded in Ahmedabad this afternoon as an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London, crashed just minutes after takeoff, leaving no survivors among the 242 passengers and crew on board.

The aircraft crashed into a doctors’ hostel belonging to a medical college at around 1:30 PM, triggering a massive fire and chaotic scenes in the densely populated area. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud blast, followed by a thick plume of grey smoke rising from the crash site. Over two dozen ambulances rushed to the spot, transporting the injured from the hostel to nearby hospitals. Police have cordoned off the area and diverted traffic to aid rescue operations.

In a brief statement, Air India confirmed the incident, calling it a "grave tragedy" and assuring full cooperation with investigative and relief authorities. According to officials, the pilot had issued a mayday call shortly before communication with air traffic control was abruptly lost.

Government and Military Respond Swiftly

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he is personally overseeing the emergency response. “All aviation and emergency response agencies have been directed to act swiftly and provide full support to affected families,” he said.

The Indian Army has stepped in to support civil authorities in a large-scale Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operation. Around 130 Army personnel have been deployed at the crash site, along with engineering teams using JCBs for debris clearance, Quick Action Teams, medical squads with doctors and paramedics, and fire-fighting units. The Military Hospital has also been placed on high alert.

Latest Developments

No Survivors

Reports suggest that none of the 242 passengers and crew on board the Dreamliner have survived the crash.

Crash Location

The plane crashed into a doctors’ hostel near the medical college, raising concerns about additional casualties on the ground.

Rescue Operations

Emergency services, including the NDRF, local police, fire brigades, and now the Army, continue search and recovery efforts amid burning debris.

Visuals from the Site

Shocking visuals show wreckage engulfed in flames, heavy smoke, and emergency teams working amid scattered debris.

Investigation Underway

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have launched a full-scale inquiry into the cause of the crash.

Authorities have urged the public to stay away from the area and avoid spreading unverified information. More details are awaited as the situation continues to unfold.

RPF and Hospital teams join rescue; special trains announced

The Railway Protection Force Disaster Management Team and a dedicated medical unit with six doctors, 20 staff, and seven ambulances are aiding rescue efforts. Indian Railways has also announced special trains from Ahmedabad to Mumbai and Delhi to support victims’ families and emergency responders.

Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani Among Victims

Gujarat BJP chief C.R. Patil confirmed that former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was on board the ill-fated Air India flight and did not survive the crash.

Boeing responds to Air India crash

Boeing has issued a statement saying it is in contact with Air India following the tragic crash in Gujarat. The UK-bound flight crashed shortly after takeoff, with horrifying visuals from the posh locality near the crash site circulating online.

Tata Group Announces Rs 1 Crore Compensation Per Victim

Expressing deep anguish, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran announced Rs 1 crore compensation for families of those who lost their lives in the Air India crash. The group will also cover medical expenses of the injured and assist in rebuilding the B J Medical College hostel impacted by the crash.

We are deeply anguished by the tragic event involving Air India Flight 171.

No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and with those who have been injured.

Tata Group will…

— Tata Group (@TataCompanies) June 12, 2025

Air India CEO calls it a difficult day 

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson described the crash of Flight AI171 as “a difficult day for all of us,” acknowledging the tragedy as the deadliest aviation disaster in over a decade.        

Message from Campbell Wilson, MD & CEO, Air India. pic.twitter.com/19MiwtkwAI

— Air India (@airindia) June 12, 2025