In a heartbreaking aviation disaster, Air India Flight AI-171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad today, June 12, 2025. The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner went down barely a minute into its journey, leaving India and the global aviation community in deep shock.
The Fatal Flight Details
The doomed aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (VT-ANB), took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (Ahmedabad) at approximately 1:38 PM IST. Its destination was London Gatwick Airport. However, just seconds after departure, while climbing to about 625 feet, the plane abruptly lost altitude and crashed into a nearby medical college hostel located in the Meghani Nagar area, just a few kilometers from the runway.
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Passengers and Crew on Board
At the time of the crash, 242 individuals were on board, consisting of:
- 230 passengers
- 12 crew members
The nationalities of the passengers included:
- 169 Indians
- 53 British nationals
- 7 Portuguese
- 1 Canadian
This international passenger list highlights the wide-reaching impact of this tragedy.
The Scale of Devastation
Rescue operations began immediately, but the scale of the disaster quickly became apparent. So far:
- 204 bodies have been recovered from the wreckage.
- Additional fatalities include at least five medical students who were in the hostel when the aircraft crashed into the building.
- Many others on the ground were injured, and several remain hospitalized.
A glimmer of hope came in the form of a single survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British citizen seated in 11A. Despite sustaining injuries to his chest, eyes, and legs, he managed to survive the crash and is currently receiving treatment. His survival story has been called nothing short of a miracle.
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Eyewitness Accounts
Locals described a horrifying scene:
“We heard a loud blast and saw thick black smoke rising. The impact shook the entire neighborhood. People were running for their lives, and the sky was filled with debris and fire,” one resident recounted.
Emergency teams, including fire services, medical units, and the Indian Army, were immediately dispatched to the scene. Their quick response helped contain the fire and search for any survivors.
Investigations Underway
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities from India, along with international aviation agencies including:
- India’s DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation)
- UK’s AAIB (Air Accidents Investigation Branch)
- US NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board)
are jointly working to determine the factors behind this unprecedented disaster.
This accident marks the first-ever fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft type entered service in 2011 — a shocking milestone for one of the most technologically advanced commercial airliners.
Official Responses and Compensation
- Air India and Tata Group, the airline’s parent company, have expressed profound grief and pledged:
- ₹1 crore (approx. USD 116,000) compensation to the families of the deceased.
- Full coverage of medical expenses for the injured.
- Psychological counseling services for survivors and affected families.
- Boeing has issued a statement promising full cooperation with investigators.
- Leaders across the globe, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, King Charles III, and others, have sent their condolences.
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The Aftermath
The crash has not only led to heartbreaking loss of life but has also reignited global concerns about aviation safety and emergency preparedness near airports. As investigations continue, the world watches closely for answers.
