Tragedy in the Skies: Air India Flight AI171 Crashes in Ahmedabad, Over 240++ Dead in Nation’s Worst Air Disaster in a Decade

In a Devastating Turn of Events, Air India Dreamliner Crash in Ahmedabad, Killing Over 240

Ahmedabad, June 12 (Taaza Wire):

Summary

• An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed after takeoff from Ahmedabad, en route to London, killing over 240 people.
• The aircraft struck a medical college hostel during lunch hour, causing additional casualties on the ground.
• Only one passenger, a British national of Indian origin seated near an emergency exit, survived the crash.
• This is the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its commercial debut in 2011.
• Indian authorities have launched a high-level investigation, with support from Boeing and GE Aerospace

India woke up to one of its darkest aviation tragedies in over a decade as Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing more than 240 people.

The aircraft slammed into a medical college hostel just minutes after departing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, causing widespread destruction and claiming lives both in the aircraft and on the ground. According to state police officials, the revised toll stood at over 240+, down from earlier reports of 294, after body part duplication was clarified.

A Nation in Mourning, One Survivor’s Incredible Escape

In a tragic twist of fate, only one person survived the fiery crash – Ramesh Viswashkumar, a 40-year-old British citizen of Indian origin. Seated in 11A, next to an emergency exit, he recalled a loud explosion before the plane nose-dived into the hostel complex.

“I woke up surrounded by debris and bodies. I ran. Someone pulled me into an ambulance. My brother was on the flight too… I can’t find him,” he told the Hindustan Times from his hospital bed.

His brother Ajay, who was seated elsewhere, remains missing.

A Fatal First for Boeing 787 Dreamliner

This tragedy marks the first-ever fatal crash involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, a model that has been in commercial service since 2011. The aircraft involved was delivered to Air India in January 2014, making it just over a decade old.

CCTV footage reviewed by authorities shows the plane ascending over a residential area before suddenly vanishing from view, followed by a massive fireball erupting in the distance.

Air traffic controllers confirm the flight departed at 1:39 PM IST and made a Mayday call seconds before disappearing from radar. Experts noted the landing gear was still down, which raised further concerns.

Emergency Response & Investigation Underway

Top officials, including Ahmedabad Police Chief G.S. Malik and Gujarat Health Secretary Dhananjay Dwivedi, are spearheading emergency response efforts. Victims’ families are being asked to provide DNA samples to aid in the grim task of identification.

Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, along with 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian, as confirmed by Air India.

Aviation Bodies & Global Support

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal inquiry, while a high-level multidisciplinary committee is being formed to probe all aspects of the disaster.
Boeing, GE Aerospace, and the U.S. FAA are sending teams to assist in the investigation.

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson expressed “deep sorrow,” while Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg canceled his Paris Air Show visit to prioritize support for the Indian investigation.

Global Reaction: Leaders Respond

The crash has triggered an outpouring of condolences from world leaders:

• PM Narendra Modi, hailing from Gujarat, wrote on X:
  “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words.”
• UK PM Keir Starmer described the images as “devastating.”
• King Charles and U.S. President Donald Trump were also briefed on the situation and expressed solidarity.

The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2025

Hospital Chaos, Survivor Stories, and Grief on the Ground

Ramila, the mother of a student residing in the hostel, told reporters,

“My son jumped from the second floor to escape. He is hurt, but alive.”

Relatives of passengers gathered at Ahmedabad Government Hospital, desperate for updates. Grieving families clutched photographs and boarding passes, hoping for miracles.

Aviation in India: A Troubling Reminder

This disaster is the first fatal crash in Indian skies since 2020, when an Air India Express flight skidded off a table-top runway in Kerala, killing 21.

The Tata Group, which took over Air India in 2022 and merged it with Vistara in 2024, now faces scrutiny over aircraft maintenance and safety protocols.

Air India Dreamliner Crash in Ahmedabad: What Lies Ahead?

Ahmedabad Airport resumed limited operations late Thursday evening, while investigations continue around the crash site. Air safety experts are calling for comprehensive inspections of Boeing 787 fleets globally, fearing this may expose deeper technical or operational issues.

As rescue teams sift through rubble and families brace for the worst, India confronts one of the most emotional and operational aviation tests in its modern history.

Final Words

This tragedy doesn’t just raise questions about aviation safety—it leaves a permanent scar on hundreds of families. A silent sky over Ahmedabad now echoes with grief.

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📢 Stay tuned with Taaza Wire for all live updates, investigation developments, and survivor stories.

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