Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner involved in crash 2025

An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London crashed Thursday in India, the airline said.

There were 242 people on board.

The crash happened around 1:38 p.m. local time shortly after the aircraft took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) in Ahmedabad, located in western India.

The flight was operating as AI 171 en route to London Gatwick Airport (LGW).

In a statement posted to social media, Air India said there were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals on board the flight.

Images shared widely on social media and by news outlets showed a large explosion at the crash scene.

“Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident,” the carrier said in a statement Thursday.

In a post to social media, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote: “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words.”

U.K. Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander said: “I am receiving regular updates on this emerging situation. The UK will continue to provide support to the Indian authorities.”

Thursday’s crash was the first major wreck involving a Dreamliner, a U.S.-made aircraft that serves as a linchpin of many airlines’ global long-haul fleets.

In a statement to TPG Thursday morning, Boeing said it’s “aware of initial reports” and working to gather more information.