June 13, 2025 | Ahmedabad — A catastrophic aviation disaster has struck as Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed mere seconds after takeoff on June 12, 2025 at approximately 1:38 PM IST
🔍 Casualties & Survivor
-
The aircraft was carrying 242 people: 230 passengers and 12 crew
-
Tragically, 241 lives were lost, including 241 onboard and at least 28 on the ground, the majority in a medical college hostel where the plane crashed.
-
Miraculously, 40-year-old Briton Vishwash Kumar Ramesh survived—seriously injured but alive—becoming the sole survivor.
In his statements, Ramesh recalled a sudden jolt shortly after takeoff. “There was a loud noise… I stood up and ran,” he said. He added his brother Ajay, who was travelling with him, remains missing.
Crash Site & Emergency Response
-
Flight AI 171 crashed into a hostel at B.J. Medical College in Meghani Nagar, engulfing residential blocks in fire.
-
Over five fire brigades and dozens of ambulances were dispatched within minutes
-
Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed the aircraft carried nearly 125,000 liters of fuel, resulting in intense heat that obliterated all onboard; corpse identification is being conducted through DNA sampling, with approximately 1,000 tests in progress
Officials’ Response
-
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and hospital, expressing profound grief and pledging government support for victims’ families.
-
The Civil Aviation Ministry initiated a full-scale investigation, confirming one black box recovered—either the flight data or cockpit voice recorder.
-
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and Union minister Shah praised state emergency services for their rapid action and pledged ongoing support timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Technical & Safety Implications
-
This marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787-8, raising global safety concerns.
-
Initial investigations are focusing on an unusual landing gear/flaps configuration and possible sudden engine thrust loss during ascent.
-
A Boeing statement confirmed active cooperation with Air India and DGCA, offering operational support and technical aid.
Global & Industry Fallout
-
India has considered grounding all Boeing 787s for safety verification; Air India’s fleet includes over 30 Dreamliners.
-
The crash ranks among India’s deadliest aviation disasters in 30 years, fogging air safety perceptions and prompting calls for robust reforms washingtonpost.com+1reuters.com+1.
-
Leaders from the UK, Canada, and Portugal have offered condolences to bereaved families, including for the survivors and departed aboard.
What Happens Next?
-
Black Box Analysis – Both flight data and cockpit voice recorders are undergoing detailed evaluation.
-
Aircraft Grounding Protocols – India’s DGCA and civil aviation body are reviewing indeterminate grounding orders for Boeing 787s.
-
International Collaboration – Investigative teams from the US NTSB and UK AAIB have joined the probe.
-
Support & Compensation – Air India and parent Tata Group have committed to financial relief and support for affected families, including hospital care