On Thursday, June 12, 2025, tragedy struck the western Indian city of Ahmedabad when an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Carrying 242 people, including passengers and crew, the aircraft failed to climb as expected, skimming forward at a dangerously low altitude before descending rapidly into a densely populated residential area known as Meghani Nagar.
The crash site was particularly devastating, as the plane struck the dining area of the B.J. Medical College doctors' hostel, tragically impacting medical students residing there. Local police and rescue workers reported recovering at least 204 bodies, including those of residents from the area. Among the deceased was Vijay Rupani, the former Chief Minister of Gujarat, who was reportedly traveling to London to meet his family. Rescue efforts also revealed one survivor, a British national seated at 11A, who is currently receiving treatment in a local hospital.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who promptly traveled to Ahmedabad following the accident, described the grim situation. He stated, "Aircraft's full fuel tank, intense heat gave no chance to save lives," highlighting the severity of the crash and subsequent fire fueled by the plane’s full fuel load. Prime Minister Narendra Modi immediately contacted Amit Shah after the incident, expressing his heartbreak and solidarity with the victims' families. Modi tweeted, "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." The Prime Minister also directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation to take all possible action to assist at the crash site.
The aircraft, commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Lieutenant Colonel with 8,200 hours of flying experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar with 1,100 hours, issued a Mayday call to Ahmedabad air traffic control shortly after takeoff. However, communication ceased soon after. Flight tracking data indicated the plane had reached an altitude of only 625 feet (190 meters) before descending back toward the ground, crashing just minutes after departure at approximately 1:38 p.m. local time.
The crash has shocked aviation experts worldwide, as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner had maintained an impeccable safety record since its introduction in 2009, with over 1,100 aircraft in operation globally and no prior fatal accidents. Aviation analyst Alex Macheras remarked, "This is probably going to be one of the worst aviation incidents for Indian aviation history in recent decades," emphasizing the unexpected nature of this tragedy given the aircraft’s reputation.
Emergency response teams mobilized swiftly, with six National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and two Border Security Force (BSF) units deployed to the crash site. Local fire and police officials, along with personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), were among the first responders. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) activated operational control rooms in both Delhi and Ahmedabad to coordinate rescue efforts and provide information support, issuing helpline numbers 011-24610843 and 9650391859 for Delhi, and 9978405304 and 079-23251900 for Ahmedabad.
Air India CEO confirmed that investigations will take time, while a special team of caregivers was dispatched to support affected families. The airline's chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, representing the Tata Group which owns Air India, announced that the conglomerate would provide Rs 1 crore to each family of the deceased and cover medical expenses for the injured. Chandrasekaran stated, "We stand united in spirit with Air India in this very difficult time," underscoring the group’s commitment to aid relief efforts.
The UK government also announced it would send a multidisciplinary investigation team from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) to assist Indian authorities, reflecting the international dimension of the tragedy given the flight’s destination and the presence of 53 British nationals onboard. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the crash as "devastating" and extended his thoughts to the passengers and families affected. Similarly, British King Charles III and Queen Camilla expressed deep shock and sympathy, praising the heroic efforts of emergency services.
Indian political leaders across the spectrum expressed their grief and called for urgent rescue and relief operations. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described the crash as "heartbreaking," emphasizing, "Every life matters, every second counts." BJP President JP Nadda urged party workers to engage actively in relief efforts, while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered condolences and prayers for the victims. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav demanded immediate clarification to dispel doubts surrounding the crash.
The incident has led to the temporary suspension of flight operations at Ahmedabad airport, with limited flights now resuming. Railways have arranged Vande Bharat trains to assist stranded passengers. Local hospitals, including Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital, have been inundated with casualties, with at least 50 medical students admitted following the crash’s impact on the nearby medical college hostel. The Gujarat government has set up a control room to coordinate response efforts and issued helpline numbers for those seeking information.
Eyewitness accounts described a scene of chaos and devastation. One witness near the crash site recounted, "I heard a very loud noise, and smoke filled the area suddenly. Debris was scattered everywhere, with fire and thick smoke making visibility almost impossible. The aircraft’s wings had fallen nearby, and the building it crashed into housed doctors." Videos shared on social media showed plumes of black smoke rising and emergency personnel rushing casualties on stretchers.
This crash marks the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, an aircraft that until now had maintained a flawless safety record. Boeing, which has faced scrutiny in recent years due to past incidents involving its 737 Max jets, issued a statement expressing readiness to support Air India and investigators. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States is leading a team of investigators to assist with the inquiry.
Air India’s history includes past tragic crashes, such as Flight 182 in 1985, which was destroyed by a bomb killing 329 people, and Flight 855 in 1978, which crashed into the Arabian Sea. However, the airline has been undergoing a strategic turnaround since its acquisition by the Tata Group in 2021, aiming to improve safety and service standards.
As investigations proceed, questions loom about the cause of the crash and why the aircraft struggled to gain altitude. The tragic loss of life, including passengers, crew, and residents on the ground, has left a community and a nation in mourning, while international support flows in to aid rescue, relief, and inquiry efforts.
