AHMEDABAD, India (June 12, 2025) — In a catastrophic blow to global aviation, Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner departing Ahmedabad for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff at 13:38 IST (08:08 UTC). Carrying 242 souls—230 passengers and 12 crew—it smashed into a hostel at B.J. Medical College, triggering a devastating blaze and leaving more than 240 dead . Miraculously, a sole passenger, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh (seat 11A), survived and is currently undergoing treatment.
📍 Crash Site & Casualties
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The aircraft went down in the Meghani Nagar neighborhood, less than a mile from the runway, engulfing residential buildings and a medical hostel
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Authorities have confirmed 204 bodies recovered on site; total fatalities now exceed 240, including those in the hostel.
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At least 50 medical students were injured or killed; several critical cases remain, treated at Gujarat hospitals .
🕊️ Survivor’s Account
Vishwash, seated at the emergency exit, recounted to media that 30 seconds after takeoff, a “loud bang” resonated before the plane crashed. He escaped with only minor burns, describing a scene filled with “bodies all around me”
🔥 Response & Rescue Operations
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CISF, local police, Ahmedabad Fire Services, and the Indian Army swiftly cordoned off the wreckage, assisting in rescue efforts and aiding the injured.
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The Ahmedabad Airport temporarily ceased operations before reopening with limited daily flights.
✈️ Flight & Aircraft Details
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Flight designated: Air India AI 171, Boeing 787‑8 (tail VT‑ANB), first delivered in 2014.
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Occupants: 230 passengers (169 Indian, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, 1 Canadian) and 12 crew.
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A MAYDAY call was transmitted before communication dropped at 625 feet altitude (less than a minute into flight)
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Preliminary video analysis revealed the landing gear remained deployed, hinting at early mechanical failure .
🌍 Global Response & Investigation
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Indian PM Narendra Modi, UK PM Keir Starmer, and King Charles extended heartfelt condolences news.com.au.
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Air India CEO Campbell Wilson announced Tata Group’s compensation offer (₹1 crore per victim), reimbursement for injured, and full support for rescue and investigations Investigators from India’s AAIB, UK AAIB, US NTSB, FAA, Boeing, and GE Aerospace are collaborating on the probe
⚠️ Why It Matters
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This is the first fatal crash of a Dreamliner, delivering a fatal blow to Boeing’s flagship 787 series.
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With heavy fuel load and residential buildings nearby, it becomes India’s worst aviation disaster in a decade.
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Global aviation authorities are scrutinizing flight safety, maintenance routines, and airport emergency protocols—particularly for long-haul departures.
⏭️ What Happens Next
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Investigators aim to recover the black boxes, evaluate maintenance history, and conduct metallurgical and engine failure analysis.
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Survivors, injured, and victims’ families are receiving ongoing support, with DNA testing underway for identification.
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Expect live updates from FAA, NTSB, and India’s DGCA, with safety upgrades likely across domestic carriers.