On June 12, 2025, Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India. The crash resulted in a devastating scene, with significant loss of life both on board the aircraft and on the ground. Here’s a breakdown of what we know so far:

The Incident:

• When and Where: The crash occurred at 1:39 PM local time (08:09 GMT) on Thursday, June 12, 2025, moments after the flight departed from Ahmedabad. The plane went down in the Meghani Nagar area, a residential part of the city.
• Flight Details: Air India flight AI171 was headed to London Gatwick and was scheduled to land at 6:25 PM BST.
• Aircraft: The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
• Mayday Call: The plane issued a mayday call to air traffic control, but there was no further response from the aircraft.
• Flight Data: According to FlightRadar24, the signal from the aircraft was lost less than a minute after takeoff, with the last recorded altitude at 625 feet (190 meters).

Casualties and Survivors:

• Passengers and Crew: The flight had 242 people on board, including passengers and crew.
• Fatalities: Air India has confirmed 241 fatalities.
• Sole Survivor: Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national who was seated in seat 11A, miraculously survived the crash. He is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
• Nationalities: The passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national, and seven Portuguese citizens.
• Impact on the Ground: The plane crashed into a residential area, specifically impacting a doctor's hostel near B.J. Medical College.

Immediate Aftermath:

• Emergency Response: Firefighters and rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the crash site.
• Airport Operations: Operations at Ahmedabad airport were initially suspended but have since resumed with limited flights.
• Statements: Air India released a statement confirming the crash and the confirmed fatalities, also noting that the sole survivor is being treated in a hospital.
• Government Response: Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Union home minister Amit Shah are en route to Ahmedabad.

Survivor Account:

• Vishwashkumar Ramesh, the sole survivor, reported that there was a loud noise about thirty seconds after takeoff, immediately followed by the crash.

Investigation:

• Black Box Recovered: One of the black boxes has been recovered, which should provide crucial insights into the circumstances leading to the crash.

This is a developing story, and further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.