Ahmedabad- On Thursday, June 12, 2025, at around 1:38 PM, Air India flight AI-171 (Boeing 787 Dreamliner) en route from Ahmedabad to London crashed just seconds after takeoff. The aircraft took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport and collided with a building of B.J. Medical College hostel in the Meghaninagar area.
There were 230 passengers and 12 crew members onboard. As of now, 241 deaths have been confirmed, including some people on the ground. Around 60 others were injured, many of them critically.
The sole survivor, Vishwesh Kumar Ramesh, was seated at 11A near an emergency exit. He managed to escape from the wreckage and is currently undergoing treatment in the hospital.
Moments before the crash, the pilot issued a ‘Mayday’ distress call to Air Traffic Control, suggesting a possible technical failure. The aircraft struck a hostel building, causing several fatalities among students and residents.
The plane’s black box has been recovered and is being analyzed. Investigations are underway involving India’s DGCA, the U.S. NTSB, and the UK’s AAIB.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site to oversee rescue operations and paid tribute to the victims. Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also expressed deep sorrow. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson reached the site and assured full cooperation in the investigation.
This has become one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s history. Authorities are conducting a detailed probe into possible technical issues and maintenance lapses. Financial aid and compensation have been announced for the victims’ families.
