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Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 — In one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick Airport crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, operated by Adani Group. The tragic incident occurred just before 2 PM, engulfing the Meghaninagar locality and leaving behind a trail of destruction, sorrow, and unanswered questions.
242 People on Board; Only One Survivor
According to official reports, Air India Flight AI171 was carrying 242 passengers and crew, including many foreign nationals and Indian-origin travelers headed to the UK. Eyewitnesses reported the aircraft wobbling dangerously before nosediving into a densely populated area.
Emergency responders have so far confirmed at least 294 fatalities, with one British national surviving the wreckage under miraculous circumstances. The survivor is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital and is said to be in a stable condition.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Aircraft Crashed Into B.J. Medical College Hostel
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registration VT-ANB), struck the doctors’ hostel at B.J. Medical College just minutes after taking off. The impact flattened parts of the building, which was reportedly housing over 150 interns, patients, and support staff during lunch hour.
Videos on social media captured horrifying visuals of the Dreamliner nosediving from a low altitude, trailing smoke before exploding upon contact. Local residents rushed in with fire extinguishers and water buckets before rescue teams arrived.
Takeoff Sequence Lasted Less Than a Minute
Flight tracking websites show that the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 625 feet before suddenly descending. The transponder data disappeared just 48 seconds after takeoff.
Aviation experts believe the crash might have been caused by either a mechanical failure, pilot error, or engine malfunction. Witnesses noted that the landing gear never retracted, possibly suggesting a takeoff configuration issue or catastrophic engine failure.
Statements from Top Officials
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu rushed to the site and has assured a full investigation in coordination with international bodies. “This is a national tragedy. A high-level inquiry by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is underway,” he said during a press conference.
“The Ahmedabad crash is heartbreaking beyond words. My thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones. Prayers for the sole survivor.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III also issued statements expressing condolences and offered full assistance to Indian authorities.
Rescue Operation and Ground Damage
The crash site, located in the congested Meghaninagar area, was surrounded by fire, rubble, and the remains of residential structures. Rescue teams including the NDRF, Gujarat Police, and the Indian Air Force worked around the clock to extract bodies and clear debris.
The fire spread to at least six nearby buildings, and officials estimate over 50 people on the ground were killed, many of whom were college staff or their family members.
Air India’s Response and Compensation
Tata Group, which owns Air India, announced ₹1 crore compensation per deceased passenger, alongside additional assistance for families. CEO Campbell Wilson also confirmed that immediate family members of victims will be flown in to Ahmedabad on special chartered flights.
Tata Sons chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran stated:
“We are shattered by this loss. Every possible step will be taken to support families and find the cause of this disaster.”
Air India has also activated a 24×7 helpline and support centers at airports in Delhi, Mumbai, and London Gatwick.
The Aircraft’s Background
The Dreamliner involved was delivered to Air India in 2014 and had accumulated over 27,000 flight hours. It was powered by GE GEnx engines and had passed its last major maintenance inspection in March 2025, just three months ago.
This is the first-ever fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, making the incident a global concern. Aviation experts from NTSB (USA), AAIB (UK), and Boeing are being flown in to assist in the black box and flight data recorder recovery.
Political Reactions and Visits
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel visited the crash site and hospitals treating the injured. Patel declared a state mourning of two days in Gujarat and announced free medical care for survivors and psychological counseling for affected families.
Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal, expressed sorrow while urging transparency in the investigation.
Possible Safety & Maintenance Failures?
Although it’s too early for conclusive statements, aviation analysts are questioning whether there was any oversight in maintenance protocols, particularly due to the recent spate of rapid aircraft expansions post-COVID. Boeing’s Dreamliner, while statistically very safe, has faced criticism for manufacturing flaws in the past.
“It’s concerning if a nearly new wide-body jet could just fall out of the sky,” said aviation analyst Kapil Kaul from CAPA India. “This will likely renew global scrutiny of both operator and manufacturer practices.”
Conclusion
The Air India Ahmedabad crash is a gut-wrenching tragedy that has shaken the nation and the global aviation industry. With close to 300 lives lost, it not only marks a historic aviation disaster but also prompts urgent reviews of aircraft safety, operational discipline, and emergency preparedness.
As India and the world await answers, the families of the victims grapple with unimaginable grief, and the sole survivor embodies a spark of hope amidst the wreckage.
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