On June 12, 2025, India witnessed its deadliest aviation disaster in decades when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 269 people including nearly everyone on board and dozens on the ground.
The Flight and the Ahmedabad crash
Air India Flight AI171 was a scheduled international flight bound for London Gatwick Airport. At 1:38 PM IST, the aircraft took off with 242 people onboard—230 passengers and 12 crew members. Within just 30 seconds of takeoff, while climbing to an altitude of approximately 650 feet, the aircraft suddenly lost thrust.
Moments later, the plane veered off course and slammed into the hostel block of B.J. Medical College, located in the Meghani Nagar area, just a few kilometers from the airport. The resulting explosion and fire devastated the building, leaving behind twisted metal, rubble, and chaos.
Casualties and the Lone Survivor
The Ahmedabad crash claimed the lives of 241 people onboard. In a miraculous twist of fate, one passenger survived—Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national seated in 11A. He reportedly escaped through a broken emergency exit and was found limping but alive amid the wreckage.
The death toll extended beyond the aircraft. At least 28 people on the ground, mostly students residing in the hostel, were killed. Over 60 others were injured and are currently receiving treatment at local hospitals. The total number of fatalities stands at 269, with dozens of families shattered across multiple nations.
Rescue and Emergency Response
The Ahmedabad crash triggered an immediate, large-scale emergency response:
- 6 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
- Indian Air Force, fire brigades, ambulances, and NSG units
- Over 65 fire engines and 50 ambulances rushed to the scene
Local volunteers also joined in the rescue efforts. Emergency workers battled fires, pulled out survivors, and sifted through rubble to recover bodies. Identification of victims has proven difficult, requiring DNA sampling due to the extent of burns and disfigurement.
Black Box Recovery and Investigation
Authorities swiftly recovered the aircraft’s Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR). These “black boxes” are now central to the ongoing investigation, which involves:
- India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
- International experts from the UK AAIB, US NTSB, and Boeing
Early reports suggest that the plane’s crew issued a Mayday call seconds before impact. Investigators are examining potential causes such as engine failure, flap or gear malfunction, or a bird strike.
Global Reaction and Mourning
The crash drew international attention due to the diverse nationalities of the victims, which included:
- 169 Indians
- 53 British citizens
- 7 Portuguese
- 1 Canadian
Condolences poured in from across the globe. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally visited the crash site and hospital, calling the incident “a national tragedy.” King Charles III, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and leaders from France, Russia, Australia, and Canada expressed solidarity with India.
Compensation and Accountability
Air India and its parent company, Tata Group, have pledged full cooperation with the investigation and announced compensation for families:
- ₹1 crore (approx. $120,000) from Tata Group
- ₹1.5 crore (approx. $180,000) from the airline under international aviation law
The airline also confirmed it is conducting a full safety audit of all Dreamliner aircraft in its fleet.
A Dark Day in Indian Aviation
This crash marks India’s worst single-aircraft disaster, surpassing even the 1996 Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision. It is also the first fatal accident involving the Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its introduction in 2009.
As the nation grieves, questions loom over aircraft safety protocols, emergency preparedness, and whether this Tragedy in Ahmedabad could have been prevented. The final report from investigators will be critical in determining what went wrong and what lessons must be learned to ensure such a calamity never happens again.
In Memory:
The people of India, the families of the victims, and the international aviation community will forever remember June 12, 2025, as a tragic reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of air safety.
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