In one of the most catastrophic aviation tragedies in recent memory, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to London crashed just seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, leaving 269 people dead, including passengers, crew, and civilians on the ground.
The ill-fated Flight AI171 departed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at approximately 13:38 IST on June 12, 2025, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members bound for London Gatwick Airport. Within less than a minute of takeoff, the aircraft lost altitude and crashed into a building housing a hostel block at B.J. Medical College in the Meghani Nagar neighborhood, triggering a massive explosion and fire.
Indian aviation officials confirmed that 241 people onboard were killed, and at least 28 people on the ground also perished. The crash site quickly became a scene of devastation, with emergency responders working for hours to extinguish the blaze and retrieve victims from the rubble.
Astonishingly, one man survived the crash. Identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British-Indian national seated in Row 11A, he was pulled from the wreckage conscious but severely injured. His survival is being described as miraculous, as he was located near an emergency exit that may have mitigated the blast impact.
The nationalities of those onboard included 169 Indians, 53 British citizens, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian. Many were families traveling for summer holidays or students heading to the UK.
This is the first-ever fatal crash involving the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model praised for its safety since its introduction in 2011. Aviation experts worldwide have called for a thorough investigation to determine what caused the near-immediate failure after takeoff. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) has been recovered, while efforts are underway to locate the flight data recorder (FDR).
Authorities reported that the pilots issued a Mayday distress signal moments after takeoff, indicating possible engine failure or loss of control, but all contact was lost shortly after. The aircraft crashed from an altitude of roughly 800 feet. Eyewitnesses described seeing the aircraft veer sharply before plunging into the residential building.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), along with Air India, Boeing, the FAA, and the UK Civil Aviation Authority, have launched a joint investigation. Experts stress the importance of reviewing maintenance records, pilot logs, and ATC transcripts.
This tragedy ranks among the deadliest aviation accidents in Indian history, shaking public confidence in Air India and sparking widespread mourning both in India and the UK.
As tributes pour in for the victims, authorities have pledged full transparency in the ongoing investigation. Victim identification and support for bereaved families remain top priorities.
