The world is closely monitoring developments following the tragic Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad, India. Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London's Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The aircraft was carrying 242 passengers and crew, and initial reports indicate a devastating loss of life, with 241 confirmed fatalities and one survivor.
The crash occurred in a residential area near the airport, specifically in the Meghani Nagar locality. The aircraft reportedly plummeted into the B.J. Medical College hostel mess, where over 100 students were gathered for lunch, exacerbating the tragedy. Emergency services are at the scene, working through the wreckage. Visuals from the site depict a scene of devastation, with debris ablaze and thick smoke billowing into the sky.
Authorities are working to identify the victims, a process complicated by the extent of the damage, and DNA testing is expected to be required. The sole survivor, Ramesh Viswashkumar, was sitting near an emergency exit and managed to escape. He is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
The passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese citizens, and 1 Canadian. The two pilots had extensive flying experience with at least 9,000 hours each.
Condolences have poured in from leaders around the world, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Bangladesh's Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed that he was "stunned and saddened" by the tragedy.
Australian authorities are "urgently following up" to determine if any Australians were affected by the Air India crash. Australia's diplomatic missions in New Delhi and Mumbai are conducting checks to ascertain if any Australian citizens were on board the flight.
The crash has prompted swift responses from both the Indian government and Air India. Prime Minister Modi has directed that all possible support be extended to rescue efforts. Air India has activated an emergency center and established a support team to assist families seeking information. The Tata Group, which owns Air India, has announced compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson conveyed the airline's profound sorrow and stated that the primary focus is on supporting those affected and assisting emergency response teams. Boeing, the manufacturer of the aircraft, has also expressed condolences and offered its full support to the investigation led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
The incident marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
In other news, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is en route to the G7 summit in Canada. He is scheduled to stop in Nadi, Fiji, where he will meet with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka for bilateral talks. Discussions are expected to center on strengthening ties between Australia and Fiji, as well as addressing regional issues. Albanese is scheduled to arrive in Nadi at 3:30 PM local time on June 13, 2025, before continuing to Canada for the G7 summit.
