A devastating Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad airport has claimed the lives of at least 241 people on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed shortly after taking off at 1:38 p.m. local time. The aircraft, operating as flight AI171, plummeted into a residential area approximately 5 kilometers from the airport, specifically impacting the B.J. Medical College hostel mess during lunchtime, where over 100 students were gathered. The crash resulted in a massive explosion and a towering plume of smoke that was visible from a considerable distance.
Air India confirmed the tragic event, stating that 241 of the 242 individuals on board perished in the crash. Authorities have reported that one passenger miraculously survived the disaster and is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. The survivor, identified as Ramesh Viswashkumar, was reportedly seated near an emergency exit and managed to escape the wreckage.
The flight manifest revealed a diverse group of passengers, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese citizens. The flight was piloted by Captain Sumit Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kunder.
Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. His death has been confirmed by Union Minister C.R. Patil, marking a significant loss for the region. Rupani is the second Gujarat CM to die in a plane crash.
The crash site has become a scene of intense activity, with rescue teams and investigators working to recover bodies and gather evidence. According to a police officer, more than 290 people have been killed in the crash, suggesting a high number of casualties on the ground due to the plane crashing into a populated area.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has stated that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will serve as the primary U.S. government representative in the investigation, with the FAA providing technical support. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has acknowledged the tragedy and assured that all possible assistance is being provided to those affected.
Aviation analyst Alex Macheras noted that the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner has generally maintained a good safety record throughout its 15 years of commercial service, with no prior crashes or fatal accidents recorded. The last major plane crash in India occurred in 2020, when a Boeing 737 skidded off a runway, resulting in 21 fatalities.
The disaster has prompted widespread grief and condolences. Indians in the U.K. have expressed their deep sorrow, and authorities are focused on supporting the families and loved ones of the victims during this difficult time.
