Updated: At Least 260 Dead, Says Indian Police

Indian police have confirmed that the death toll from the crash of the Air India flight has risen to at least 260. The aircraft was carrying 242 passengers, and tragically, all but one man perished in the crash.

Additionally, 19 more people were killed in a nearby medical staff hostel that the plane struck upon impact.

Authorities announced that the rescue operation at the crash site has been completed. The focus now shifts to identifying the victims and investigating the cause of one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s recent history.

Updated: In the final, harrowing moments before the fatal crash of an Air India flight, the pilot’s desperate cry over the radio sent chills down the spine of air traffic controllers:
“Mayday! I’m losing power, we can’t gain altitude!”

These were the last words heard from the cockpit before the aircraft went down, tragically claiming the lives of nearly 300 people on board.

While the investigation is still underway, troubling claims have emerged from a passenger who flew on the same aircraft just two hours before the crash. In a social media post, the passenger reported a series of technical malfunctions — the air conditioning wasn’t working, the in-flight entertainment screens were off, and even the crew call buttons were unresponsive.

These early warning signs raise serious questions about whether the aircraft should have remained in service. As authorities search for answers, families of the victims are left devastated by a tragedy that may have been preventable.

Updated: U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, northwestern India, was “one of the worst in aviation history,” as all passengers except one lost their lives.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he had “offered some suggestions” to Indian officials regarding possible causes of the accident.

“We saw the aircraft — it appeared to be flying normally. It didn’t look like an explosion. It just seemed like the engine lost power,” he said.

The President added that he had offered all U.S. resources necessary to assist the Indian authorities in their investigation.

Updated: The United Kingdom and the United States are dispatching specialized teams to assist Indian authorities in investigating the devastating plane crash that occurred earlier today in Ahmedabad.

According to an official advisor, the UK is sending four air accident investigators from its Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). The team is scheduled to depart from London tonight and arrive at the crash site by tomorrow afternoon.

Meanwhile, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed it will also contribute to the probe. In a statement on X, the NTSB said it will lead the American investigative team and that India will share all relevant data under ICAO international protocols.

Death Toll Rises, British Casualties Feared

Reuters reported that the death toll has reached 290, citing a police source. It remains unclear how many of the victims were on board versus on the ground.

The UK government has warned of significant British casualties. A Downing Street spokesperson said:

“As the Prime Minister noted this morning, the images from the crash of the London-bound aircraft are harrowing. It’s clear this is a deeply painful time for many families. The situation is still developing.”

Survivor Identified, Family Still Missing

BBC reports that Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national, survived the crash and contacted his family in Leicester to say he was safe. However, his brother Ajay, who was also on the flight, remains missing. The family is anxiously awaiting updates.

Vishwash, who is married with a child, was born in India but has lived in the UK for several years.

Footage Surfaces of Crash Moment

A new video showing the aircraft’s takeoff and crash from a different angle has surfaced on social media, further underscoring the scale of the tragedy.

Boeing has issued a statement following the crash of Air India Flight AI171, confirming it is in contact with the airline and “ready to offer support.” In a message posted on X, the company added, “Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders, and all those affected.”

The flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was carrying 242 people, including 217 adults and 11 children. According to Air India, the passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian.

Ahmedabad’s police chief told the Associated Press there appear to be no survivors from the crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff. According to air traffic controllers, the aircraft departed from runway 23 at 1:39 p.m. local time (08:09 GMT), issued a “Mayday” distress signal, and then lost contact. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 shows that the aircraft’s signal disappeared at 10:08 a.m. local time.

Dramatic footage aired by local television shows the aircraft lifting off over a densely populated area, then vanishing before a massive column of fire erupted. The plane reportedly crashed into a residential building used as a doctors’ hostel near the airport.

Scenes from the crash site show flaming wreckage and thick black smoke, with emergency crews evacuating the injured on stretchers. Air India confirmed that the wounded were being rushed to nearby hospitals and stated, “We are gathering information and will provide updates.”

This tragedy casts a heavy shadow over what was intended as a routine international flight to London Gatwick.

The moment the Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India, is captured in a video making the rounds on social media.

The aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport bound for London’s Gatwick this morning (GMT).

According to IndiaToday, there were 242 people inside the aircraft, of which 230 were passengers and 12 people were from the crew.

Early images from the incident show debris burning, and thick black smoke rising in the sky near the airport.