An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people crashed Thursday in Ahmedabad, a city in western India, shortly after takeoff en route to London’s Gatwick Airport, officials confirmed. The crash caused mass fatalities, but authorities later reported a single survivor from the wreckage, who is now being treated in a hospital.

Originally thought to have left no survivors, the crash of Flight AI171 triggered panic on the ground, with the aircraft slamming into buildings and igniting fires. The plane had taken off at 1:38 p.m. local time, carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 from the U.K., seven from Portugal, and one Canadian.

In a video statement, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson addressed the tragedy, urging patience and promising transparency. “We are committed to delivering verified information, not speculation,” he stated. “Our teams are supporting passengers, crew, their families, and the investigation effort in every possible way.” The airline dispatched a special caregiver unit to Ahmedabad immediately after the incident.

The Dreamliner had been scheduled to land at Gatwick Airport at 6:25 p.m. London time. Boeing issued a brief message saying it was cooperating with Air India and providing full support to Indian authorities. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg confirmed he had spoken to Air India’s chairman to offer resources, adding, “Our thoughts are with all those affected.”

This marks the first recorded crash for the 787-8 Dreamliner according to Boeing’s April 2025 safety summary. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it would be sending a team to support the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau in India. The FAA confirmed its collaboration and said that the Indian government is leading the inquiry.

An individual passes by the wreckage of the tail section from the Air India aircraft that went down shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2025.

Early reports suggest weather was not a factor, as skies were clear and wind conditions light. CBS News meteorologists supported this with environmental data from the time of departure. Former NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt noted that early video footage suggested a mechanical issue, with the plane’s landing gear deployed and flaps retracted at a critical point—indications that something was off.

Both the flight data and cockpit voice recorders have yet to be recovered. Investigators are hoping those black boxes will yield critical insights. Aviation analyst John M. Cox commented, “Once those recorders are retrieved, the system data should clarify what went wrong very quickly.”

Air India issued a public statement confirming that there were 241 fatalities and one survivor. “The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off,” the airline said. “We regret to confirm the loss of 241 lives. The sole survivor is receiving medical attention.”

Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik told ANI News that the survivor had been located in seat 11A and was undergoing treatment. Identified as British citizen Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, he is reportedly of Indian origin and had sustained multiple injuries. A doctor at Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital confirmed that Ramesh was disoriented but no longer in critical condition.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged Ramesh’s survival and emphasized that U.K. authorities were cooperating closely with Indian officials. “Our team is on the ground, and we are assisting families as fast as possible,” he said. “This is an evolving situation, but our thoughts are with all those grieving such an enormous loss.”

Video captured by Indian outlet NDTV showed the aircraft flying low before vanishing behind a row of buildings, followed by a massive explosion. No visible signs of fire or mechanical failure were seen before impact. The plane’s descent devastated part of B.J. Medical College, killing five medical students and injuring nearly 50 others, according to a representative of the All India Medical Association.

Firefighters respond at the crash site in Ahmedabad, located in India’s northwestern Gujarat state, on June 12, 2025. Air India confirmed that a flight bound for London from Ahmedabad was involved in what it described as “an incident.”

India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh announced that former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had also perished in the crash, paying tribute to his lifelong commitment to public service. Meanwhile, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai of India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the jet went down just five minutes after takeoff. Flight Radar 24 data indicated the plane had reached only 625 feet in altitude before descending sharply.

Emergency response efforts were immediate. The Indian Army sent 130 personnel, including doctors and paramedics, to search the crash zone and assist survivors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a statement saying, “This tragedy has left the nation stunned. My thoughts are with the families of all those affected. Every possible resource is being mobilized.”

Prime Minister Starmer echoed that sentiment, calling the incident “devastating,” especially for the many British nationals aboard. “Our hearts go out to every family impacted,” he said. “This is a day of immense grief.”