Air India flight AI171 crashed after taking off from Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick, and now the last communication from the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner has been revealed

crashed on its way from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick has been revealed.

Air India flight AI171, which was carrying 242 people – including 53 Brits – crashed in a fireball just outside Ahmedabad Airport in western India, less than a minute after its departure on Thursday.

Ahmedabad’s city police commissioner says there doesn’t appear to have been any survivors from the plane crash.

According to air traffic control at Ahmedabad Airport, the aircraft departed at 1:39 p.m. local time (9:09 a.m. BST) from runway 23.

Shortly after take-off, the crew issued a “mayday” distress call, indicating an emergency situation. However, no further communication was received from the aircraft after the initial alert.

Flight tracking service Flightradar24 reported that it lost the signal from the aircraft just seconds after it became airborne. “The signal from the aircraft was lost at 10:08 local time at 625 feet, less than a minute after take off,” the site tweeted.

The plane reportedly crashed in a residential area(Image: X)

The aircraft in question has been identified as a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registered under VT-ANB. As it crashed down, it flew directly into a student dining room, The Mirror understands.

The plane was en route to London Gatwick and was due to arrive at 18:25 this evening.

In a statement posted online, the airport said: “We can confirm that flight AI171, which crashed shortly after departing from Ahmedabad Airport today, was scheduled to arrive at London Gatwick at 18:25.”

Eyewitness footage captured in the moments before the crash shows the aircraft – painted in Air India’s signature white and orange – descending with its nose tilted upward before disappearing beyond the horizon. Seconds later, a loud explosion is heard, followed by a massive fireball and plumes of thick black smoke rising into the air.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

The wreckage was later discovered beyond a broken tree line in the Meghani Nagar area of Ahmedabad, where flames could still be seen within the fuselage. The area lies directly under the aircraft’s flight path, raising serious concerns not only for the people on board, but also for residents living nearby in this densely populated neighbourhood.

Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, told The Associated Press that the aircraft went down just minutes after take-off. He confirmed that 242 passengers and crew members were on board. Emergency response teams were immediately activated at the airport and have since been dispatched to the crash site.

The Ahmedabad plane crash hit the BJ medical college student hostel mess. (Image: Daily Mirror )

While the number of casualties has not yet been confirmed, at least two dozen ambulances have rushed to the scene to assist potential survivors. Firefighters are working to control the blaze, which witnesses say can be seen from miles away.

In an official statement, Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran expressed sadness over the tragedy. “With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today,” he wrote.

Firefighters working at the scene in India’s northwestern city of Ahmedabad(Image: AP)

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event. At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families

“We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted. Further updates will be shared as more verified information becomes available. An emergency centre has been activated, and support teams are in place to assist families seeking information.”