An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed in Ahmedabad, India, shortly after takeoff, killing all 242 people on board and sparking a massive rescue effort. Stay informed about the tragic incident, official responses, and how to support affected families.
Tragic Crash of Air India Flight AI171
Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) on June 12, 2025, at 1:40 PM IST. Carrying 242 people—230 passengers, two pilots, and 10 crew members—the plane slammed into a residential area in Meghani Nagar, striking a doctors’ hostel at BJ Medical College. Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Gyanendra Singh Malik told media that no survivors have been found, though one unconfirmed report claims a 40-year-old British national, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survived and is hospitalized.
The crash, the deadliest aviation disaster in a decade, killed 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, including 217 adults, 11 children, and two infants. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the victims, listed as passenger number 12 in business class. Thick black smoke and a fireball engulfed the site, with videos showing the plane’s tail protruding from a building.
What Caused the Crash?
Initial reports point to a possible power failure, not an explosion, as the cause. The plane, under Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar with 9,300 hours of combined experience, issued a Mayday call five minutes after departing Runway 23 at 1:35 PM IST. Former pilot Ehsan Khalid told ANI that Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder data will clarify the cause. A 2024 whistleblower warning by Boeing’s Sam Salehpour about the 787 Dreamliner’s build quality has renewed scrutiny, as this marks the model’s first fatal crash. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is probing, with Boeing and GE Aerospace offering support.
Eyewitness Haresh Shah told PTI, “The plane flew low and hit the hospital’s residential quarters, setting buildings and cars on fire.” The crash damaged five-story apartments, killing medical students and staff. Over 200 bodies have been recovered, with 105 autopsies underway at Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital.
Global Reactions and Rescue Efforts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the crash “stunning and saddening,” while King Charles expressed being “desperately shocked,” offering prayers for families. Irish PM Micheal Martin and the British Airline Pilots’ Association also shared condolences. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu rushed to the site, mobilizing rescue teams. Dense smoke has hampered efforts, with Gujarat Police sealing off roads. Air India and Tata Group issued helplines: +91-706-295-3641 (India) and +44-0800-048-9254 (UK).
The crash, one of India’s worst aviation disasters since the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing, has shaken Ahmedabad, a bustling hub of 7 million. SVPIA is closed indefinitely, disrupting travel. Boeing’s stock fell 8% amid safety concerns, with Spirit AeroSystems and GE Aerospace also taking hits. Social media reflects grief and fear, with one X user writing, “Heartbroken for the families—242 lives gone in seconds.” Another called it “a wake-up call for airline safety.”