A devastating tragedy struck Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, when Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The crash occurred in the Meghani area, a densely populated part of the city, resulting in a massive fire and widespread destruction.
The aircraft was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Initial reports confirmed the deaths of 241 passengers and crew, with one survivor, a British man named Vishwashkumar Ramesh, miraculously escaping the wreckage. Tragically, the rising death toll indicated that 33 additional victims were on the ground, likely including doctors, students, and staff from the nearby BJ Medical College, as well as residents of Meghaninagar.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the plane lost altitude soon after takeoff, crashing into buildings within a residential complex. The impact caused significant damage, particularly to a doctors' hostel at Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College, where many students were having lunch when the plane crashed through the roof of the dining hall.
Emergency services, including fire engines, ambulances, and police, were immediately dispatched to the crash site. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were also mobilized to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. The airport was temporarily closed, but has since resumed operations with limited flights. Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for updated information.
The Indian government has launched a formal investigation into the cause of the crash, led by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and British investigators. The flight data recorder, one of the aircraft's "black boxes," has been recovered from the crash site, marking an important step forward in the investigation. Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed the recovery of the black box, stating that it would "significantly aid the enquiry into the incident." India's aviation regulator has ordered Air India to conduct additional safety inspections on its Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft as a preventative measure.
The sole survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, is currently receiving treatment in a hospital. He recounted his miraculous escape, stating, "I still cannot believe how I made it out alive. At first, I thought I was going to die. I managed to open my eyes, unfastened my seat belt and tried to exit the plane."
The tragedy has left families in Ahmedabad in agonizing wait for the bodies of their loved ones. The process of identifying the victims is painstaking, as many bodies were burned beyond recognition. DNA testing is being used to identify the remains, but so far, only a few have been returned to their families.
The crash has raised concerns about airport safety standards in India. Aviation safety expert Mohan Ranganathan noted that many Indian airports do not comply with safety standards to ensure there are no large obstacles near airports, referencing the proximity of the six-story building to the takeoff path.
