Posted on June 13, 2025
On June 12, 2025, tragedy struck the city of Ahmedabad when Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed just 30 seconds into the takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, destined for London Gatwick Airport. The aircraft was carrying 242 people (230 passengers and 12 crew members). After departing the airport, the aircraft descended and collided at a high speed with the undergraduate hostel of B. J. Medical College which is located on the Civil Hospital campus in Meghaninagar, a densely populated residential area.
Casualties and Heroic Rescue Attempts
First reports confirmed 241 deaths on board, with 28-28+ persons on the surface, including medical personnel and students going about their mid-day meal. The scene was horrific: plates of uneaten lunch still on tables, frozen as if the airplane struck mid-meal. Among the deceased was former Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani, a passenger aboard Air India Flight AI 171.
Among the fortunate, British-Indian passenger, Vishwashkumar “Vishwash” Ramesh, 40, was seated in seat 11A. He survived the horror, injured but alive. Ground survivors included a pregnant lady and at least five medical students who died or sustained critical injuries when the aircraft’s tail cone and stabilizers made impact with the building.
Rescue efforts rolled into action immediately mobilizing India’s National Disaster Response Force, Indian Airforce, Border Security Force, National Security Guard, local police, hospital staff and fire services. NDRF recovered 81 bodies a few hours later. They established a helpline (1800 5691 444) for families.
What Happened?
Witnesses noted the aircraft struggled to climb, and they could hear explosion after explosion, and that the aircraft then went down. The pilots made a Mayday call, but then lost contact. The initial radar data showed it climbed only 625 ft above ground, and it lost signal representing nearly 230 ft.
The flight data recorder (black box) was located—the digital recorder was found on the roof of the hostel and then a DVR was discovered in the debris. The AAIB is leading the investigation, along with global experts including the U.K. AAIB, U.S. NTSB, Boeing, and GE Aerospace.
National Orange and Global Condolences
India is in grief. Prime Minister Modi, King Charles III, British PM Keir Starmer, and other world leaders are expressing sorrow and condolence. Boeing has extended their full cooperation. Air India, now owned by Tata Group, announced compensation for the victims and assistance for their families.
Moving Forward
This is India’s deadliest single plane accident since 1996 and the world’s first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787. The nation waits to hear term the investigation results to have a full understanding of what transpired; while heartbroken families begin to find ways to identify their lost loved-ones (many wanting results via DNA analysis) and grieve for them, suddenly taken away forever.