The world is reeling from the horrific crash of Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick from Ahmedabad, India. The incident, which occurred shortly after takeoff at approximately 1:38 PM local time on Thursday, June 12, 2025, has left a trail of devastation and sparked urgent questions about aviation safety. Shocking footage has emerged online, capturing the moments leading up to the crash and the immediate aftermath, painting a grim picture of the tragedy.
The harrowing videos, apparently taken by onlookers, show the aircraft struggling to gain altitude after departing from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The plane is seen descending over a residential area, Meghani Nagar, before a massive explosion erupts upon impact. Plumes of thick black smoke billow into the sky, marking the site of the catastrophe. The Aviation Safety Network database notes this as the first-ever crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Flight tracking data indicates that the aircraft reached a maximum altitude of only 625 feet (190 meters) just seconds after takeoff. The final signal from the aircraft was received mere moments after departure, raising immediate concerns about what went wrong in those critical seconds. The aircraft, reportedly 11 years old, had Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar at the helm. The captain had 8,200 hours of flying experience, while the co-pilot had 1,100 hours.
On board the flight were 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Air India has confirmed the nationalities of those on board: 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national. News reports suggest former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also believed to be on the flight.
The crash site, located about 1.7 kilometers (approximately 1 mile) from the airport, is a densely populated residential area, compounding the tragedy. Initial reports indicate the plane crashed into accommodation used by doctors, and some reports mention the aircraft crashing on top of the dining area of a state-run medical college hostel, resulting in casualties among medical students. Rescue workers have recovered at least 30 bodies, with fears that many more remain trapped in the wreckage. Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik stated that, given the situation, it was difficult to believe anyone survived.
Emergency services, including police, fire personnel, and approximately 90 emergency response workers, were immediately dispatched to the scene. Firefighters battled to extinguish the blaze as rescue teams worked to recover victims and clear debris. The airport has been temporarily shut down, with all flight operations suspended. Flight services to Ahmedabad airport from Kerala have also been temporarily suspended.
The Indian government has responded swiftly, with Prime Minister Modi taking stock of the situation and ordering rescue and relief operations. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and Home Minister Amit Shah are en route to Ahmedabad to assess the situation. Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, reported that an emergency meeting was held with senior ministry officials to evaluate the circumstances.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will conduct a thorough investigation into the crash. A team of investigators has been dispatched from Delhi to Ahmedabad. The probe will focus on determining the cause of the accident, with initial speculation centering on the aircraft's struggle to gain altitude. Aviation experts have noted that the investigation will need to determine why the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a widely used and modern aircraft, faced difficulties during a critical phase of the flight.
The crash has sent shockwaves through the aviation industry and raised concerns about the safety of air travel. Shares of North American airplane manufacturer Boeing fell 8% in pre-market trading on NASDAQ following the incident.
