Devastating Air India Flight AI171 Crash in Ahmedabad: What We Know
Ahmedabad, India – June 12, 2025 – A devastating tragedy struck Ahmedabad today as Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed in a residential area just minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The catastrophic incident has resulted in the confirmed deaths of 241 people on board, including 229 passengers and 12 crew members, with only one survivor reported. Casualties on the ground are also significant, with the plane impacting the residential quarters of BJ Medical College, claiming the lives of at least five medical students and injuring dozens more.
The flight, carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian, departed Ahmedabad at approximately 1:38 PM local time. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft flying unusually low before it abruptly descended, crashing into the Meghaninagar area and erupting into a massive fireball. The sheer force of the impact and the subsequent blaze, fueled by over 1 lakh liters of fuel on board, left most of the victims’ remains charred beyond recognition.
Emergency services, including fire brigades, ambulances, NDRF teams, and Indian Army relief columns, immediately rushed to the site to undertake extensive search and rescue operations. Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu promptly arrived in Ahmedabad to oversee the relief efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his profound grief, calling the incident “heartbreaking beyond words.”
Among the confirmed fatalities is former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The sole survivor, identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, was found in seat 11A and is currently receiving treatment for multiple injuries. His survival is being hailed as a miracle amidst the widespread devastation.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal investigation into the crash. Initial reports indicate that the pilots issued a “mayday” call to Air Traffic Control (ATC) shortly after takeoff, but subsequent attempts to communicate with the aircraft received no response. CCTV footage from the airport shows the aircraft briefly gaining altitude before a sharp descent and explosion. This marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model previously lauded for its safety record.
Authorities are now focusing on the arduous task of victim identification, which will largely rely on DNA testing due to the severity of the burns. Families of the deceased have been urged to provide DNA samples to assist in this process, with results expected within 72 hours. Air India has activated an emergency response center and established support teams for affected families.
The global community has extended its condolences, with leaders from the UK, US, Russia, Italy, and the UN Secretary-General expressing their sympathies and offering support. The British Airline Pilots’ Association has called for a “full, thorough investigation” to determine the cause of the tragedy and prevent future incidents.
The Ahmedabad airport temporarily suspended all flight operations following the crash but has since resumed services. Indian Railways has also deployed Vande Bharat trains to assist in transporting stranded passengers. The incident has cast a pall of sorrow over Ahmedabad and the entire nation, as the scale of this aviation disaster becomes painfully clear.
