Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 – A horrific air tragedy unfolded when Air India Flight AI171 bound for London crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, claiming over 290 lives, including dozens of medical students and international passengers. The incident has been labeled one of India’s worst aviation disasters in recent history.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was en route to London Gatwick Airport when it reportedly lost control moments after departure from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Authorities confirm the aircraft was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, and crashed into a residential area, engulfing a medical hostel and nearby buildings in flames.
Mayday Call Before Crash: 30 Seconds That Changed Everything
According to preliminary data, the aircraft took off at 1:38 PM IST, and within 30 seconds, issued a “Mayday” distress signal. Witnesses and aviation authorities confirmed the plane climbed only up to 625 feet before plummeting into the Meghani Nagar locality.
Early speculation suggests mechanical failure, including engine malfunction and landing gear retraction issues, might have caused the crash. Some investigators have not ruled out the possibility of a bird strike or pilot error, though the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a full probe.
“The aircraft did not gain proper altitude. A loud boom followed by fireballs was seen near the medical college,” said an airport ground technician who witnessed the crash.
Devastation on the Ground: Hostel Hit, Firefighters Struggle
The plane crashed directly into B.J. Medical College’s doctors’ hostel, killing several students and local residents instantly. Firefighters reported the building was engulfed in flames within minutes. Over 70 fire brigades and multiple army units were deployed for rescue and recovery.
Images and videos circulating on social media showed plumes of black smoke, burnt debris, and bodies strewn across the crash site, prompting mass panic and emergency lockdowns in the area.
Death Toll Crosses 290: Only One Known Survivor
Officials have confirmed that at least 294 people died, including students, airline staff, and residents of the crash zone. The sole known survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British-Indian software developer seated in 11A, is currently under treatment in a local hospital.
“Everything was calm for a few seconds after takeoff. Then a deafening sound, fire, and chaos. I don’t know how I survived,” Ramesh recounted in an emotional interview with People Magazine.
Rescue teams are using DNA testing to identify remains as many bodies are burned beyond recognition. Emergency services say some families have lost multiple members.
🇮🇳 PM Modi, Tata Sons, and Global Leaders React
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter) expressing his condolences:
“Devastated by the tragedy in Ahmedabad. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. We are ensuring all support for victims and survivors.”
Tata Sons, the owner of Air India, has pledged compensation and support to the victims’ families. Chairman N. Chandrasekaran announced a ₹10 crore relief fund and said Air India is working closely with UK and US aviation authorities to uncover the cause.
The Tata Group will provide Rs 1 crore to the family of each person who lost their life in Thursday’s Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad, announced the company’s chairman N Chandrasekaran on Thursday.
Picture credit: PTI#Ahmedabad #Gujarat #airindia #AirIndiaCrash… pic.twitter.com/7OHx6PpGYv
— Mid Day (@mid_day) June 12, 2025
Source: Mid Day
Across the globe, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III extended their condolences, as over 50 British nationals are believed to have been on board.
What Happened to AI171? Ongoing Investigation
Aviation experts from India’s AAIB, UK’s AAIB, US NTSB, and Boeing have arrived in Ahmedabad to retrieve flight data recorders (black boxes).
Authorities are investigating multiple angles:
- Engine or flap malfunction
- Landing gear retraction failure
- Bird strike or object ingestion
- Pilot communication gaps
- Weather and air traffic miscommunication
This was the first-ever fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model celebrated for its reliability. Questions are now being raised about Air India’s safety protocols, especially after the airline was reprimanded for poor aircraft maintenance earlier this year.
Global Aviation Industry on Alert
The crash has triggered international alarm. Aviation regulators in Europe and the US are now re-evaluating the 787 fleet’s safety compliance. Boeing’s stock dipped 3.2% on Wall Street following the crash.
Air India has temporarily grounded three Dreamliners for precautionary checks.
Industry veterans point to India’s recent history of aviation lapses and warn that this tragedy could set off a wave of audits and reforms in domestic airline operations.
Ground Realities: Trauma, Chaos & Hope
Local hospitals were overwhelmed by charred bodies and injured victims. Family members gathered at the crash site and hospital gates, desperate for news.
Several doctors, students, and fire crew members suffered trauma and burns during rescue operations. Authorities have urged blood donations and provided psychiatric counseling for affected families.
“What we saw today cannot be unseen. It is a dark day for Ahmedabad,” said a senior nurse at Civil Hospital.
Government Actions and Compensation Plans
- ₹10 lakh compensation to each deceased Indian passenger’s family
- ₹50 lakh for families of medical students killed in the hostel
- ₹1 crore insurance cover for crew families
- Free medical care for survivors and affected ground victims
- DNA testing and mortuary support at Civil and VS Hospitals
The government has set up an emergency helpline and deployed National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) units to assist in debris clearance and evidence collection.
Final Words
This incident will be etched in the memories of millions. With hundreds of lives lost, including innocent students and international travelers, it’s a moment of reckoning for the aviation sector.
As investigation teams work around the clock, the world watches, prays, and demands answers.
For continuous updates, stay connected to our Prime Feeds news section and follow this developing story.