Tragedy in the Skies: Ahmedabad Plane Crash Becomes India’s Deadliest Aviation Disaster
On the afternoon of June 12, 2025, tragedy struck India’s skies when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. Within moments, the world witnessed one of the darkest chapters in Indian aviation history.
The crash claimed 241 lives out of the 242 on board, and at least 28 more on the ground, making it the deadliest single-aircraft crash India has ever seen—and the first-ever fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
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A Routine Flight Turns Fatal
Flight AI171 took off at approximately 1:39 PM IST, with 230 passengers and 12 crew members on board. Weather conditions were normal. Passengers ranged from business travelers and tourists to medical students and international families heading to the UK.
Within two minutes of takeoff, the aircraft’s climb stalled at about 650 feet, and it issued a Mayday call to air traffic control. Moments later, the plane plummeted into the B.J. Medical College residential quarters in the Meghaninagar area, devastating a hostel complex, a staff cafeteria, and nearby housing blocks.
Explosions and flames engulfed the scene, and plumes of smoke could be seen from miles away.
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The Sole Survivor: A Miracle Amid Destruction
Miraculously, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a 34-year-old British-Indian IT consultant seated in 11A, survived the crash. Rescuers found him wedged between rows of wreckage, shielded by the twisted metal of the fuselage. While critically injured, Vishwashkumar is now recovering at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. His survival is being hailed as nothing short of miraculous.
He is also expected to play a key role in helping authorities understand the final moments before the crash.
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A National Loss: Former CM Vijay Rupani Among Victims
Among the passengers was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was en route to London for a public policy conference. His untimely demise has shocked the political community across party lines. National flags flew at half-mast across Gujarat the following day, and multiple political figures issued statements of condolence.
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Ground Casualties and Local Impact
The crash not only decimated the aircraft but also wreaked havoc on the ground. Initial reports suggest that 28 individuals in the hostel and surrounding buildings were killed instantly, with over 60 more injured, many of them students and medical personnel.
Dr. Meera Patel, a junior resident who survived the building collapse, said, “It was like a warzone. We didn’t hear the crash—we felt it. The floor shook, and the ceiling collapsed.”
Emergency response teams and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) launched a massive rescue operation, pulling survivors from the rubble well into the night.
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The Investigation: What Went Wrong?
Authorities quickly recovered both black boxes (the flight data and cockpit voice recorders) and handed them over to India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). They are now working in coordination with:
UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB)
U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
Boeing Company
While preliminary speculation suggests technical malfunction or instrumentation failure, officials have emphasized the need to avoid conjecture until the analysis of black box data is complete. A detailed interim report is expected within 30 days.
Meanwhile, Air India has grounded its entire 787 Dreamliner fleet for thorough inspections.
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Global Reaction and Support
The world responded with grief and solidarity. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and the hospitals treating victims. “This is a day of immense sorrow. We will ensure that the families of the victims receive all necessary support,” he said.
Condolences poured in from global leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, King Charles III, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Boeing issued a statement expressing “deep sorrow” and committed full cooperation with investigators. Tata Group-owned Air India has opened emergency support centers for families of victims and has offered full refunds, financial compensation, and grief counseling services.
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Lessons Ahead: Aviation and Accountability
This catastrophe serves as a painful reminder of the vulnerabilities that still exist in global aviation, despite tremendous technological advances. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was marketed as one of the most advanced and fuel-efficient aircraft, with a stellar safety record—until now.
Public faith in aviation safety, particularly involving long-haul flights, has been shaken. Experts argue this crash may lead to significant changes in:
Aircraft software and design regulations
Pilot training for emergency takeoff scenarios
Pre-flight technical inspections for wide-body aircraft
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Conclusion: Remembering the Lost
As the nation grieves, mass memorials are being planned across India and the UK. The crash site has turned into a place of mourning, where families, students, and citizens leave flowers, photos, and handwritten notes.
What remains is a community shattered by loss—but also united by resolve. This tragedy will be remem
bered not only for its scale but for the lives, stories, and futures it took away in an instant.
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