The aftermath of the Air India Flight AI171 crash near Ahmedabad is a scene of devastation and frantic activity, as rescue operations continue and the injured receive treatment at the Civil Hospital. The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, June 12, 2025, claiming the lives of 241 people.
Rescue Operations Underway
The crash site, located in the Meghani area of Ahmedabad, is a chaotic landscape of debris, twisted metal, and remnants of the aircraft. Firefighters battled the flames that erupted immediately after the crash, while rescue teams worked tirelessly to search for survivors amidst the wreckage. Six teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were deployed to assist in the rescue efforts, along with fire engines, ambulances, and local police units. The intensity of the fire, fueled by the aircraft's heavy load of aviation fuel for its long-haul flight, complicated rescue operations.
Visuals from the crash site depict a scene of intense activity, with emergency responders navigating through the debris, working to extricate victims, and douse the flames. The area is cordoned off, and authorities are managing the crowds of onlookers and worried relatives who have gathered near the site.
Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad: A Center of Hope and Grief
The Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad has become the focal point for both hope and grief in the wake of the tragedy. The hospital is where the sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, is receiving treatment. According to Dr. Dhaval Gameti at Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital, Ramesh was disoriented with multiple injuries all over his body but seemed to be out of danger. Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Ramesh at the hospital.
The hospital is also receiving the injured, including medical students from the B.J. Medical College, whose hostel was impacted by the crash. Reports indicate that at least 50 medical students were admitted to the hospital, with some in critical condition. The Indian Medical Association Gujarat has confirmed the deaths of three MBBS students.
Outside the hospital, anxious family members have gathered, desperately seeking information about their loved ones who were on board the ill-fated flight. The atmosphere is heavy with grief and uncertainty, as families await news and offer support to one another. Authorities are working to identify the deceased, and DNA testing is being conducted to help with the identification process.
Government Response and Support
The central and state governments are providing assistance and support to the affected families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his grief over the incident and is likely to visit Ahmedabad to assess the situation. Union Ministers Amit Shah and Ram Mohan Naidu have also arrived in Ahmedabad to oversee relief measures. Air India has established Friends & Relatives Assistance Centers at Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Gatwick airports to provide support and assistance to the families of the victims. The airline is also facilitating the travel of family members to Ahmedabad. The Tata Group has announced Rs 1 crore compensation to the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash.
International Assistance
The United States and the United Kingdom are sending teams to assist with the investigation into the cause of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) are sending investigators to India to help with the inquiry. Boeing, the manufacturer of the aircraft, has also offered its support and is ready to provide assistance in the investigation.
