The scene in Ahmedabad, India, is one of devastation following the crash of Air India Flight 171 on June 12, 2025. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London Gatwick, went down shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, impacting a residential area and a medical college hostel in the Meghani Nagar locality.
Images from the crash site depict a grim reality. Wreckage is scattered across a wide area, with debris strewn across buildings and streets. A thick plume of smoke billows into the sky, a testament to the fires that ignited following the impact. The tail of the aircraft is seen wedged into the roof of a multi-story building, identified as part of the BJ Medical College Hostel.
Inside the hostel, the scene is particularly harrowing. Photos reveal the devastation in the food hall, where medical students were having lunch when the plane crashed. Dining tables are overturned, with food and drink spilled across the floor, mixed with the wreckage of the aircraft. A gaping hole marks where the rear of the plane crashed through the building.
Video footage shows rescue teams sifting through the rubble, attempting to recover survivors and bodies. Emergency vehicles, including ambulances and fire engines, are present in large numbers. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has also shared images on social media, providing a glimpse of the extent of the damage.
The crash site is a chaotic mix of debris, emergency responders, and distressed onlookers. Local residents are seen standing near the wreckage, many in shock and disbelief. The area is cordoned off as authorities work to manage the situation and investigate the cause of the crash.
According to officials, there were 242 people on board the flight, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese. Early reports indicate that at least 204 bodies have been recovered, with the city police commissioner stating that there appear to be no survivors. One survivor was found on seat 11A and is currently under treatment.
The impact of the crash on the surrounding community is significant. The destruction of homes and the medical college hostel has displaced residents and disrupted essential services. The emotional toll on the families of the victims and the local community is immense.
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash. Preliminary reports suggest the plane went down minutes after takeoff. Flight radar data indicates that the signal from the aircraft was lost less than a minute after takeoff. Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, addressed the media, stating that rescue operations are underway and that an emergency meeting has been held. Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Union home minister Amit Shah are en route to Ahmedabad.
