A devastating Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has claimed the lives of over 200 people. The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI171, crashed shortly after taking off at approximately 1:38 PM local time on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew, impacted a residential area in the Meghani Nagar locality, hitting a doctor's hostel attached to B.J. Medical College. The crash ignited a massive fire due to the plane's heavy fuel load, further exacerbating the tragedy.
Initial reports indicated no survivors, but authorities later confirmed that one passenger, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 38-year-old British national, miraculously survived. Ramesh was seated in seat 11A, located near an emergency exit. He is currently receiving treatment at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital for injuries sustained in the crash. According to Ramesh, just 30 seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise, and then the plane crashed. He recalls being surrounded by bodies and running amidst the wreckage.
The crash site is a scene of utter devastation. Visuals from the hostel show plates of food left uneaten, a grim reminder of the lunchtime hour when the plane crashed into the building. Parts of the aircraft were scattered around the crash site, with the tail of the plane lodged on top of the hostel building.
Emergency services, including fire brigades, ambulances, police, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, were immediately deployed to the scene. However, rescue efforts were hampered by the intense fire and the scale of the disaster. Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik confirmed the recovery of 204 bodies. The crash site's location in a densely populated residential area suggests that some local residents may also be among the deceased.
The Air India flight carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national, and seven Portuguese nationals. Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
In the wake of the tragedy, both the Indian government and Air India have announced measures to support the affected families. The Tata Group, which owns Air India, has announced ₹1 crore in compensation for the families of each deceased person. Air India is also sending two relief flights from Delhi and Mumbai to assist victims' families and staff. A dedicated passenger hotline, 1800 5691 444, has been set up to provide information and assistance.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal investigation into the crash. The investigation will also receive support from a multidisciplinary team from the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has assured a thorough and fair investigation to determine the cause of the accident. Potential causes being examined include overloading, bird strikes, and engine failure. The plane's black boxes, which record cockpit sounds and flight data, will be crucial in the investigation.
