In a devastating tragedy that has shocked the world, an Air India crash involving flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London has claimed the lives of 241 out of 242 people onboard. The accident occurred on June 12, 2025, shortly after takeoff, making it one of the deadliest aviation incidents in India’s recent history.
An Air India flight en route from Ahmedabad to London, with 242 people on board, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on the afternoon of Thursday, June 12, 2025. [Photo Credit: Vijay Soneji]
What Happened During the Air India Flight Crash
The Air India plane crash involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft carrying 232 passengers and 10 crew members. Flight AI171 took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. local time. Just five minutes later, the aircraft issued a “Mayday” distress call and crashed into the B.J. Medical College hostel mess, killing scores of people, including medical students on the ground.
Click the play button to watch the video of the crash:
Thick black smoke billowed into the sky as eyewitnesses reported a deafening explosion. One student who survived said he had jumped from the second floor of the hostel to escape the flames.
Lone Survivor Recalls the Incident
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British citizen, had been in India briefly to visit his family and was returning to the UK with his brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh [Credit: HT Photo]
Home Minister of India went to see the lone survivor of the plane crash
The sole survivor of the Air India flight crash, identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, was seated in 11A next to the emergency exit. He described the horror to local media: “Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise, and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.” Ramesh, who suffered chest and leg injuries, added that he had lost contact with his brother, who was also on the flight.
Key Facts and Official Responses
- Total onboard: 242 (including crew)
- Confirmed dead: 241
- Survivor: 1 (British national of Indian origin)
- Aircraft model: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
- Flight number: AI171
- Route: Ahmedabad to London Gatwick
- Crash site: Meghani Nagar, approximately 5km from the airport
- Initial cause: Mayday issued; further investigation underway
The crash prompted an immediate shutdown of Ahmedabad Airport, which has since resumed operations with limited service.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated the burning of 1.25 lakh litres of fuel made rescue impossible in the Air India crash. He visited the Ahmedabad crash site and hospital, confirming a Civil Aviation Ministry probe is underway. [Credit: The Indian Express]
Reactions from Indian Leaders
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose home state is Gujarat, expressed his sorrow on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words.”
Indian Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed that a high-level committee will be constituted to investigate the plane crash India has mourned as a national tragedy. He also emphasised the importance of swift coordination between emergency teams, hospital authorities, and DNA matching units to identify the deceased.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the passengers who died in the Indian plane crash, further deepening the political and emotional impact.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was reportedly among the passengers. [Source of image: social media].
Boeing Under Fire Again
The incident has raised renewed concerns about the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, although it marks the first fatal crash involving this model. The aircraft, delivered to Air India in January 2014, had a clean operational history until now.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that, although early, there is no current indication to ground the aircraft. However, the Boeing share price dropped by 5% following the crash, adding to the manufacturer’s ongoing scrutiny over safety standards.
CEO Kelly Ortberg announced he would not attend the Paris Airshow and pledged full support to India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
The tail section of the Boeing aircraft seen at the crash site in Ahmedabad, India, on Thursday. [Credit: Ajit Solanki/Associated Press]
GE Aerospace and International Support
GE Aerospace, which supplied the engines for the downed aircraft, postponed its upcoming investor day and deployed a technical team to Ahmedabad. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are also working with Indian authorities.
British and Canadian High Commissions in New Delhi confirmed that nationals from their countries were aboard. The British Foreign Office issued a statement: “We are working with Indian authorities to provide support and establish facts.” Among the deceased were 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.
Live Updates from Ahmedabad
As part of the coordinated response, Air India activated Friends & Relatives Assistance Centres at key airports including Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Gatwick. A dedicated hotline was established for families.
Local MLAs, including BJP leaders, volunteered in shifts to support DNA collection and assist bereaved families at BJ Medical College.
In view of the Ahmedabad plane crash incident, the state government has activated a Control Room at the State Emergency Operations Centre.
For any related assistance
Landline: 079-23251900
Mobile: 99784 05304
Police Helpline: 079-25620359— Gujarat Police (@GujaratPolice) June 12, 2025
List of Key Updates:
- Air India confirms: 241 dead, 1 survivor
- PM Modi: Visited crash site on June 13
- Operational control room numbers: +91 9650391859 / 011-24610843
- Passenger helpline (India): 1800 5691 444
- Passenger helpline (International): +91 8062779200
- Tata Group payout: ₹1 crore to families of deceased
- MLAs on site: Coordinating with hospital staff
Investigative Timeline
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal probe. Initial footage and eyewitness reports suggest a potential mechanical failure. Aviation safety expert Anthony Brickhouse noted the unusual behaviour of the landing gear, which appeared down during a phase where it should have been retracted.
“The landing gear down during ascent is highly unusual and needs urgent investigation,” he said.
The U.S. FAA said it will review all data in collaboration with Boeing and GE Aerospace, with safety being the top priority.
Aviation Industry Reacts
The boeing stock fell sharply in after-hours trading, reflecting investor concerns over safety and liability. Meanwhile, industry insiders are calling for a comprehensive review of Air India’s maintenance logs and pilot records.
This crash marks India’s first major aviation disaster since 2020, when an Air India Express Boeing 737 overshot the runway at Kozhikode, killing 21 people.
Passenger Details and Identification
Among the victims was Lawrence Christian, a 30-year-old London resident who had flown to Ahmedabad for his father’s funeral. His family members in Ahmedabad are awaiting DNA confirmation.
As of June 13, Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanan Desai reported that over 265 charred bodies were moved to the Civil Hospital. DNA verification is ongoing.
Roshni Rajendra Songhare, a 27-year-old air hostess from Dombivili, was among the crew on the ill-fated Air India flight. Known for her bright spirit and Instagram presence, her Air India uniform was a symbol of pride in her neighbourhood.
Among the victims of the Air India crash were two sisters from Gujarat heading to London for a long-awaited vacation and a mother returning to the UK after dropping her daughter in Vadodara. Families await news, clinging to hope.
Before tragedy struck, Dr Koni Vyas, her husband Dr Pratik Joshi, and their three children took a joyful selfie on their Air India flight. The family was beginning a new life in London after months of preparation—cut short by disaster.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
The Air India crash has opened up complex questions about aircraft safety, emergency preparedness, and airline accountability. While authorities are working tirelessly to identify victims and support families, a clearer picture of what caused the tragedy is expected in the coming weeks.
With a global outpouring of grief and continued investigation, this tragic event has already become a defining moment in modern aviation history.
