Air India Boeing 787-8 Ahmedabad Plane Crash 

On June 12, 2025, a catastrophic aviation disaster occurred near Ahmedabad, India, when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff. This incident stands as the deadliest single-aircraft accident in India's history, resulting in the loss of 241 lives onboard and additional casualties on the ground.  

Flight Details Flight Number AI171 Aircraft Type Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner Registration VT-ANB Route Ahmedabad (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport) to London Gatwick Departure Time Approximately 1338 IST Fatalities 241 onboard, with at least 4 additional deaths on the ground   The Crash Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 625 feet before descending rapidly and crashing into a densely populated residential area in the Meghani Nagar suburb of Ahmedabad. The plane collided with a medical students' hostel and resident doctors' quarters of B.J. Medical College, resulting in a massive fireball and significant destruction . Eyewitnesses reported hearing multiple explosions followed by thick plumes of smoke visible from nearby locations. CCTV footage captured the aircraft losing control and plummeting into the residential area just 30 seconds after lift-off .  

Casualties Among the 242 people aboard the flight, 241 were confirmed dead. The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British-Indian citizen, was seated near an emergency exit and managed to escape the wreckage with minor injuries. He recounted the traumatic scene from his hospital bed, describing bodies all around him and the chaos that ensued . The crash also resulted in additional fatalities on the ground, including residents of the medical college hostel. The total death toll, including those on the ground, is estimated to be over 245, though this number may rise as recovery operations continue .  

Victims The passengers aboard Flight AI171 included 169 Indian nationals 53 British nationals 7 Portuguese nationals 1 Canadian national 

The diverse nationalities aboard the flight highlight the global impact of this tragedy .  

Emergency Response Emergency services responded swiftly to the disaster. At least seven fire engines and multiple ambulances rushed to the scene. The Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services Department confirmed the deployment of units from various city divisions. All roads leading to the crash site and surrounding areas were closed to facilitate rescue operations . The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), responsible for security at Ahmedabad Airport, were among the first responders. CISF personnel worked in coordination with local authorities and other emergency services to secure the area, assist survivors, and manage the scene. The Indian Army was also deployed to assist in clearing debris and treating the injured. A military hospital was put on standby to assist efforts. The Central Reserve Police Force deployed around 150 personnel while the three National Disaster Response Force teams comprising 90 people were mobilized for the rescue operations. The Western Railway provided Disaster Management Team, Railway Protection Force staff along with hospital team of six doctors, 20 personnel, and seven ambulances . Shortly after the crash, all flight operations at the airport were suspended before resuming later in the day with limited capacity .  

Investigation A joint investigation into the crash is being conducted by Indian, British, and U.S. aviation authorities, with assistance from Boeing. Preliminary findings indicate that the aircraft's transponder reported an altitude of 625 feet before communication was lost. The flight crew issued a mayday call to air traffic control in Ahmedabad, but the aircraft crashed during the initial climb phase . One of the aircraft's black boxes has been recovered, and authorities are conducting DNA testing to identify victims. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available .  

Global Reactions The tragedy has elicited an outpouring of condolences from around the world. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life. Boeing and Tata Group, the owner of Air India, have pledged support and compensation to the victims' families .  

Historical Context This crash surpasses the previous deadliest aviation accident in India, Indian Airlines Flight 113, which occurred on October 19, 1988. That incident involved a Boeing 737-200 and resulted in 133 fatalities. The 2025 Ahmedabad crash is now the deadliest single-plane crash in India's history .  

The 2025 Ahmedabad plane crash is a tragic reminder of the inherent risks associated with air travel. As investigations continue, the global aviation community remains focused on understanding the cause of this disaster to prevent similar incidents in the future. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.