On June 12, 2025, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India. The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, plunged into the Meghani area of the city, impacting residential quarters of a medical college and other buildings. The impact and the aircraft’s heavy fuel load ignited a massive fire, engulfing the crash site in thick black smoke.
Initial reports indicated devastating casualties. While some sources reported a death toll of 241, others, including the Ahmedabad IG, suggested it could be as high as 260, factoring in casualties on the ground. Tragically, only one person on board, identified as British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survived the horrific incident, reportedly escaping through an emergency exit. The crash also claimed the lives of several medical students in the college hostel, which was directly hit.
Emergency services, including multiple teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire engines, and ambulances, were immediately mobilized to the scene. Rescue operations continued tirelessly through the night, as personnel worked to clear the wreckage and search for any remaining survivors or bodies. Authorities also initiated the process of collecting DNA samples from grieving families to aid in identifying the deceased, many of whom were charred beyond recognition.
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Air India Flight AI171 Crash Claims 242 Lives Near Ahmedabad
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a formal investigation into the crash, with a technical team from Boeing also expected to assist. While the exact cause remains under investigation, preliminary analyses based on available footage suggest the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of thrust shortly after takeoff, leading to a “Mayday” call from the cockpit before communication was lost. The unretracted landing gear in observed videos also raised questions among aviation experts, pointing towards potential issues like engine failure, fuel contamination, or bird strikes.
The tragedy elicited widespread condolences and concern from leaders globally, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described the event as “heartbreaking beyond words.” Air India announced compensation for the victims’ families and established assistance centers at airports to provide support. This disaster, the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, casts a shadow over both Air India and Boeing, prompting renewed scrutiny on aviation safety.
