Thursday, June 12, 2025, began as a typical day at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India. However, it would soon be marred by tragedy. Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was scheduled to depart for London Gatwick Airport at 1:10 PM local time. The flight was carrying 242 passengers and crew, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national.
The aircraft, however, faced a slight delay and eventually took off from runway 23 at 1:38 PM. A mere minute after becoming airborne, at an altitude of only 625 feet, the crew issued a "Mayday" call, signaling a critical emergency to air traffic control. This would be the last communication received from the aircraft. According to Flightradar24, the final signal from the plane was received seconds after takeoff.
Around 2:00 PM, the worst fears were realized. Flight AI171 rapidly lost altitude and crashed in a residential area called Meghaninagar, located just outside the airport. The impact was devastating, with the aircraft slamming into buildings, including a doctors' hostel of BJ Medical College, causing a massive explosion and fire. Plumes of thick black smoke billowed into the sky, visible for miles around.
Immediately, local residents and rescue teams rushed to the scene. The airport was temporarily shut down, and all flight operations were suspended. Initial reports painted a grim picture, with authorities stating that there appeared to be no survivors. However, amidst the wreckage, a miracle occurred: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national, was found alive. He was quickly rushed to a local hospital for treatment.
As the day wore on, the scale of the disaster became clearer. At least 204 bodies were recovered from the crash site, and it was feared that the death toll would rise as rescue workers continued to search through the debris. The crash site was a scene of utter devastation. The tail of the plane was pictured protruding from a building, while the wings were completely torn from the main body. Personal belongings and charred debris littered the streets.
Air India confirmed the tragic accident and provided a breakdown of the passengers' nationalities. The airline also established a dedicated passenger hotline, 1800 5691 444, to provide information to concerned families. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief and directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation to provide all possible assistance.
The Ahmedabad plane crash marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The incident has raised serious questions about aviation safety, and the Indian government has promised a full and thorough investigation into the cause of the crash, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah stating they would leave no stone unturned.
