By: YaHind.Com Newsdesk
Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 – A devastating tragedy struck Ahmedabad, India, today when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed just minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. local time. The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew, plummeted into a residential area near the airport in the Meghani Nagar area, crashing into a doctors’ hostel at B.J. Medical College. The crash has resulted in over 200 deaths, with authorities confirming at least 204 bodies recovered, including passengers, crew, and local residents. One survivor, a British-Indian national, has been identified, marking a rare glimmer of hope amid one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in decades.
Details of the Crash
The ill-fated flight, which departed at 1:39 p.m., issued a Mayday distress call shortly after takeoff, indicating a severe emergency. Air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft moments later, and it crashed within five minutes, at approximately 1:44 p.m., into a densely populated area near the airport. The plane, heavily fueled for its long-haul journey to London, erupted into a massive fireball upon impact, exacerbating the destruction. Visuals from the scene, captured by CCTV and shared by news agencies like PTI, showed thick black smoke billowing into the sky and the charred wreckage of the aircraft, with its tail protruding from the hostel building.
The passenger manifest included 230 passengers and 12 crew members, comprising 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose death was confirmed by Union Minister C.R. Patil. The crash also claimed the lives of at least five medical students at B.J. Medical College, with 10 to 12 others trapped in the fire, according to the college dean, Minakshi Parikh. The Indian Medical Association Gujarat reported that 45 students were hospitalized following the incident.
Sole Survivor’s Account
The lone confirmed survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British-Indian national seated in 11A near an emergency exit, recounted the harrowing moments to Hindustan Times. “Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise, and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” he said, describing injuries including bruising to his chest, eyes, and feet. Ramesh, who has lived in London for 20 years, was visiting family in Ahmedabad with his brother, who remains unaccounted for. His survival has been described as miraculous, given the intensity of the crash and the high temperatures caused by the burning fuel, estimated at 125,000 liters.
Rescue and Response Efforts
Emergency services, including six National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, Indian Army personnel, Central Reserve Police Force, and local firefighters, were mobilized swiftly. Over 70 fire trucks and dozens of ambulances descended on the crash site, which was cordoned off by police to facilitate rescue operations. The Indian Army deployed 130 personnel, including doctors and paramedics, while the Western Railway’s disaster management team and Railway Protection Force assisted in relief efforts. Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital has been designated for DNA sample collection to identify victims, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah stating that body retrieval is nearly complete, pending DNA verification for an official death toll.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief, calling the tragedy “heartbreaking beyond words” in a post on X. He has been in constant communication with Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Home Minister Shah, ensuring coordinated support. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited Asarwa Civil Hospital to assess the condition of the injured, while Shah met with the survivor and oversaw operations at the site. The central government has pledged full cooperation, with Naidu assuring a “fair and thorough investigation” into the crash’s cause.
Air India has organized two relief flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Ahmedabad for the next of kin, with a hotline (1800 5691 444 for domestic callers, +91 8062779200 for international callers) established for families seeking information. The Tata Group, which operates Air India, announced financial assistance of ₹1 crore for the families of each victim.
Investigation and Airport Operations
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a probe, with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) offering technical support. The flight’s black box has been recovered by the National Security Guard (NSG), and Boeing, the aircraft’s manufacturer, has expressed readiness to assist. This marks the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model known for its strong safety record since its commercial debut in 2011. Surveillance footage indicates the plane struggled to gain altitude, with its landing gear down at an unusual phase of flight, raising questions about potential mechanical or pilot-related issues.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, operated by the Adani Group, suspended operations immediately after the crash but has since resumed limited flight services. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for updates.
National and International Reactions
The crash has elicited widespread grief and condolences. President Droupadi Murmu, Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Jagat Prakash Nadda, and actor Shah Rukh Khan expressed sorrow, with Khan posting on X, “Absolutely heartbroken with the news about the crash… my prayers for the victims, their families and all affected.” Internationally, U.S. President Donald Trump offered assistance, stating, “Anything we can do, we’ll be over there immediately.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III conveyed condolences, with Gatwick Airport establishing a reception center for relatives. Pakistani leaders Ishaq Dar and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, also expressed solidarity.
The Goa government declared a day of state mourning on June 13, canceling all government-supported festive programs. The Congress party postponed a planned protest in Maharashtra to honor the victims.
Impact and Context
The crash, one of the deadliest aviation disasters since 1996, has renewed focus on India’s aviation safety standards. The last major incident occurred in 2020, when an Air India Express Boeing 737 overshot a runway in Kozhikode, killing 21. Air India, privatized in 2022 under the Tata Group, had been working to improve its safety record following earlier incidents. The tragedy has also impacted Boeing’s reputation, with shares dropping over 8% in premarket trading.
Among the victims were Khushboo Rajpurohit, a newlywed from Rajasthan, and the Kamdar-Modha family from Nagpur, who were traveling to London for a funeral. The loss of Vijay Rupani, a prominent political figure, has deeply affected Gujarat’s political community.
Ongoing Developments
As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on identifying victims through DNA testing and supporting the affected families. The investigation into the cause—whether mechanical failure, human error, or external factors—will be critical. The nation mourns, with candlelight vigils reported in Patna and other cities, as the world watches India grapple with this profound loss.
YaHind.Com will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Sources: Agencies
