Ahmedabad, June 12–13, 2025 – A major tragedy happened when Air India Flight AI171 crashed just after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The flight was heading to London Gatwick. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner hit a hostel building near the airport.
There were 242 people on the plane. Sadly, only one person survived. The crash also killed at least 28 people on the ground. In total, 269 people lost their lives in this accident. This is India’s deadliest single-aircraft crash in many years.
What Happened in the Air India Crash?
Air India Flight AI 171 departed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport Ahmedabad at 1:38 p.m. IST on June 12, 2025. The flight was headed for London Gatwick. Just seconds after takeoff, the plane reached about 625 feet in the air. Then, the pilot sent out a “Mayday” distress call.
Right after that, the plane began to lose height quickly. CCTV footage from Meghani Nagar showed the aircraft tilting, falling fast, and then crashing straight into the Atulyam-4 hostel at B. J. Medical College. The plane exploded on impact, creating a huge fireball.
Witnesses near the crash site heard several loud blasts. Flames spread through the building very fast. Thick black smoke filled the air and made it hard to breathe. Part of the hostel collapsed, and many people got trapped inside.
Right away, emergency teams rushed to the scene. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), National Security Guard (NSG), Border Security Force (BSF), and Indian Air Force (IAF) started rescue operations. Firefighters and rescue workers battled the flames through the night and looked for survivors.
Nearby hospitals treated many injured people. Doctors and volunteers set up emergency medical camps to help. Officials also moved people out of nearby buildings to keep them safe.
Now, the government has started a full investigation. Aviation experts and crash teams are checking the black box and plane parts to find out what went wrong.
Human Toll: Victims and the Sole Survivor
There was great death when Air India Flight AI 171 crashed. Among the dead were former Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani, (2016–20211). To see his family, he was heading to the United Kingdom.
Among the passengers on the flight were 169 Indian nationalities, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national.
On the ground, the crash hit a medical college campus. It killed several people, including doctors, interns, and a pregnant woman. More than 60 others suffered injuries.
However, one person survived the crash. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, a British citizen of Indian origin, sat in seat 11A near an emergency exit. His family said he jumped out of the plane before it exploded and walked away from the wreckage. He was hurt and confused, but doctors in Ahmedabad are now treating him. They expect him to recover.
Vishwash said he heard a loud noise just before the impact. He doesn’t remember exactly how he survived. Sadly, his brother, who sat close to him, did not make it.
Search and Rescue Efforts
By early Friday morning, rescue teams recovered around 265 bodies and brought them to Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. Doctors and officials started DNA testing to help identify the victims.
As grieving families arrived, authorities began preparing burial and cremation sites. They also set up emergency helplines in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and London Gatwick to help relatives get information.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the crash site with Gujarat officials. He promised full support from the central government for rescue, relief, and recovery efforts.
Government and Public Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the crash “heartbreaking beyond words.” He visited the survivors and emergency workers in Ahmedabad. He also stayed in regular contact with top officials to monitor the situation.
Leaders from around the world shared their condolences. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, King Charles III, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and others sent messages of support to India.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and officials from the British High Commission also visited Ahmedabad. They helped with rescue efforts and met with the victims’ families.
Technical Details and Investigation
Investigators believe a possible technical failure happened soon after takeoff. They are now looking closely into what went wrong.
The National Security Guard (NSG) recovered one of the two black boxes. This black box could give important flight data to help find the exact cause of the crash.
Several investigation teams are working together, including:
- India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
- India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
- The UK’s AAIB
- The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
- The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Boeing (aircraft maker)
- GE Aerospace (engine maker)
- Spirit AeroSystems (airframe supplier)
Flight records show the aircraft was 11 years old. It had completed around 7,800 flights and flown for about 41,700 hours. ADS-B flight data showed the plane climbed to about 625 feet, then quickly dropped at a rate of around 475 feet per minute before crashing.
Stock markets reacted to the news. Boeing’s stock dropped by 4.8%, and GE’s stock also went down.
Safety and Industry Impact
- The Boeing 787 had a strong safety record until now. This crash is the first major accident involving the Dreamliner since it began flying in 2011.
- Now, this tragedy has raised fresh questions about Boeing’s quality checks and its supply chain.
- Adding to the concern, a passenger from the earlier Delhi–Ahmedabad leg of the flight reported problems like broken TV screens, no air conditioning, and lights not working.
- Right after the crash, the DGCA grounded several similar flights for safety checks. Airlines around the world may now review their boarding steps and safety rules to prevent future issues.
What’s Next After the Crash?
- Recovery and Support: Air India has started DNA tests to identify the victims. The airline is also helping families with counseling and compensation. They are working to send the bodies back to their home countries.
- Technical and Safety Review: Experts are now waiting for full black box data. If they find any problems in the plane’s design or systems, Boeing and safety authorities like the FAA and DGCA may face pressure to take action. This could include safety alerts or grounding similar planes.
- Impact on Global Aviation: This is the first deadly crash involving a Boeing 787. Now, airlines around the world are paying close attention to how long these planes stay in service and how well they are maintained. Many will wait for the investigation results before making decisions.
- Government and Public Inquiry: Indian Parliament committees on aviation, security, and foreign affairs may soon call Air India’s parent company Tata Group, Boeing, and DGCA to answer questions. They may also suggest safety reforms to prevent such disasters in the future.
Final Thoughts
The Ahmedabad Dreamliner crash is a very sad moment in India’s aviation history. Many people lost their lives, and brave rescuers tried their best to save others. One person survived, giving hope in this tragic event. Now, we need quick action to find out what went wrong and how to prevent it from happening again. Families are still in pain, and many questions remain. At the same time, the aviation industry must learn from this and make air travel safer for everyone in the future.
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