The city of Ahmedabad, India, is in mourning following the crash of Air India Flight AI171 on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London's Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, resulting in the confirmed deaths of 241 of the 242 passengers and crew members on board.
The aircraft, carrying 232 passengers and 12 crew members, failed to gain sufficient altitude, reaching only about 625 feet before plummeting into a residential area near the airport. The crash occurred approximately five minutes after takeoff at 1:38 p.m. local time, leaving a trail of devastation and shock in its wake.
The impact was particularly severe at the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College (BJMC) and Civil Hospital complex, where the plane crashed into a hostel building during lunchtime. The hostel, located close to the airport compound wall, housed numerous medical students. The crash claimed the lives of at least five MBBS students, one postgraduate resident doctor, and the wife of a superspecialist doctor associated with the college. Over 60 other medical students sustained injuries, with some reported to be in serious condition.
The scene at the hostel was one of utter chaos and tragedy. Eyewitness accounts describe a heavy burning smell lingering in the air, with the temperature noticeably higher than in surrounding areas. Inside the hostel mess, plates of food sat untouched on tables, a stark reminder of the sudden and horrific interruption of an ordinary afternoon. Suitcases and personal belongings of the plane's passengers were strewn about, adding to the chaotic scene.
NDTV's ground report highlighted the poignant image of untouched food in the hostel mess, suggesting that those inside the building had to rush for safety, leaving their meals behind. Some suitcases, clothes, and personal items of the passengers were scattered around the area.
Adding to the tragedy, it has been confirmed that Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national, miraculously survived the crash. He was reportedly rescued from the wreckage and is currently receiving treatment in a hospital. Authorities have identified him as the sole survivor among the passengers and crew.
In the aftermath of the crash, rescue teams were quickly mobilized, and efforts are focused on providing medical aid and support to the injured and the families of the deceased. India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is leading an investigation into the cause of the crash, with assistance from a U.S. team led by the National Transportation Safety Board. Preliminary observations suggest the plane's landing gear was down and flaps were up, which is the reverse of what is expected during takeoff. The flight data recorder will be crucial in determining the precise sequence of events that led to the tragedy.
The crash has raised concerns about aviation safety, particularly regarding Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, although this was the first fatal crash involving this aircraft model. It has also intensified scrutiny of Air India, as the airline has faced other fatal accidents in recent years, including a 2020 incident where an Air India Express flight skidded off the runway in Kozhikode, killing 20 people.
