A devastating एयर इंडिया plane crash near Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, June 12, 2025, has resulted in the confirmed deaths of 241 people on board. The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI171, crashed shortly after takeoff, impacting a residential area and a medical college hostel. Amidst the widespread tragedy, one survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, was pulled from the wreckage and is currently receiving treatment in an Ahmedabad hospital.
The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, included 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese citizens, and 1 Canadian. The crash site is located in Meghani Nagar, near the airport, where the plane plummeted just minutes after its 1:38 PM departure. The impact and subsequent explosion sent a towering plume of smoke into the air, visible for miles.
Emergency services, including fire engines, ambulances, and police, swiftly responded to the scene. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is actively involved in recovery operations. Authorities are working to identify the deceased, with DNA testing underway to assist in the process.
The crash site presented a harrowing scene, with debris scattered across a wide area and parts of the aircraft embedded in buildings. The plane brushed past one of the buildings in the hospital compound before crashing. The impact was so severe that personal belongings, including suitcases and untouched plates of food, were strewn amidst the wreckage.
Tragically, the crash also resulted in casualties on the ground. The aircraft impacted a medical college hostel during lunch hour, and initial reports indicate that several medical students were among the victims. FAIMA reported that 50 medical students had been admitted to the hospital, with at least four students missing and two in critical condition.
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor, was found in seat 11A, near an emergency exit, which may have contributed to his survival. He reportedly told local media that there was a loud noise 30 seconds after take-off and that everything happened very quickly.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation. The pilot issued a 'Mayday' distress call shortly after takeoff. Experts suggest that possible causes could include a flap issue, engine failure, or a bird strike. Both the National Transportation Safety Board and Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch are sending investigators to assist the India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. GE Aerospace, the engine maker for the Boeing 787, is also sending a team to analyze data from the crashed airplane.
Air India has expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and is focusing its efforts on supporting those affected. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Ahmedabad on Friday to assess the situation and offer support. The UK government has also stated that it is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved. A helpline has been established for British nationals requiring consular assistance or with concerns about friends or family.
