On June 12, 2025, tragedy struck just moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed into a residential area in the Meghani Nagar suburb. The flight, en route to London Gatwick, was carrying 242 passengers and crew, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. The catastrophic event has left the world reeling as emergency services continue their rescue and recovery efforts amid the smoke and wreckage.
The aircraft took off at 1:38 p.m. local time and climbed to a maximum altitude of approximately 625 feet before suddenly descending at a rate of 475 feet per minute. The last signal was received less than a minute after takeoff. Aviation experts and flight tracking data confirm that the plane’s trajectory ended abruptly, with the pilot issuing a Mayday call indicating imminent danger moments before impact.
Witnesses and surveillance footage captured the harrowing final moments of the flight, showing the plane struggling to gain lift, with the landing gear still extended and wing flaps reportedly not in the correct takeoff position. Aviation specialist Artem Koreshkov noted that the flaps appeared improperly configured, a critical factor for takeoff performance, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
As the plane crashed into the doctors’ hostel of BJ Medical College Civil Hospital, it exploded into a massive fireball, engulfing the building and nearby structures. The impact caused extensive damage, with debris scattered across the residential and commercial area. At least five medical students were killed, and fifty others injured, some critically, as the crash disrupted a normally quiet part of the city. Emergency responders, including six National Disaster Response Force teams, fire engines, ambulances, and police, rushed to the scene to battle the blaze and assist survivors.
Ahmedabad police commissioner G.S. Malik reported that over 200 bodies have been recovered from the crash site, and 41 people are currently receiving treatment for injuries. While initial reports suggested there were no survivors, it has since emerged that a sole survivor was pulled from the wreckage: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national seated in 11A. Despite suffering multiple impact injuries and disorientation, Ramesh was able to walk away from the crash and was promptly hospitalized. He recounted the terrifying moment, saying, “Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.”
Ramesh, who lives in London with his wife and child, was visiting India with his brother, Ajay, who remains unaccounted for. His miraculous survival is a rare occurrence in aviation disasters of this scale, drawing attention to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the crash.
The aircraft involved, registered VT-ANB, was an 11-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner delivered to Air India in 2014. This crash marks the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787, a model renowned for its advanced technology and safety record since entering service in 2011. Air India operates a fleet of 27 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, and the loss of AI171 represents the first hull loss of this model.
Following the tragedy, Air India’s chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, expressed profound sorrow and pledged full cooperation with authorities. The airline has established an emergency center and a dedicated hotline (1800 5691 444) to assist families seeking information. Meanwhile, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport suspended all operations, advising travelers to check with their airlines for updates.
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation has launched an investigation, with Boeing and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) dispatching teams to assist. The NTSB emphasized its role in investigating approximately 450 international crashes annually, underscoring the global significance of the inquiry.
Indian officials, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, are overseeing relief efforts. A green corridor has been established to expedite medical aid for the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the crash as “heartbreaking beyond words,” expressing solidarity with those affected. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the scenes “devastating” and assured ongoing support for families of British nationals onboard. King Charles III and Queen Camilla also extended their condolences, praising emergency responders for their heroic efforts.
The crash has also drawn international attention, with U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledging the response efforts. Aviation experts remain baffled by the sequence of failures, noting that modern aircraft like the Dreamliner have multiple backup systems that should prevent such catastrophic outcomes. Analyst Paul Edwards highlighted anomalies such as the landing gear remaining down during takeoff, while John McDermid, a safety engineering professor, remarked on the sudden and unmanageable nature of the problem.
The human toll is staggering. Beyond the passengers and crew, the crash devastated a community, claiming lives of medical students and injuring many residents. Families worldwide await news of their loved ones amid DNA testing efforts to identify victims. The Federation of All India Medical Association has been actively monitoring the situation, offering support to those affected.
This disaster adds a somber chapter to Air India’s safety record, which includes previous fatal incidents, such as the 2020 Air India Express crash that killed 17 people. The timing is particularly sensitive for Boeing, which faces scrutiny following past crises involving its 737 Max jets. Boeing shares fell sharply following news of the crash, reflecting investor concerns.
As rescue and investigation efforts continue, the world watches with heavy hearts. The tragedy in Ahmedabad is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the critical importance of aviation safety. The story of the sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, offers a glimmer of hope amid overwhelming loss, a testament to human resilience in the face of disaster.
