Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad Kills Over 200 | Investigation Underway
✈️ A National Tragedy Unfolds in Gujarat
On June 12, 2025, tragedy struck India when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing over 200 people. The flight was en route to London Gatwick Airport, and crashed within minutes into a residential area, causing massive damage and loss of life.
📌 Flight Details & Crash
Summary
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Flight Number: AI171
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Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (VT-ANB)
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Route: Ahmedabad ➝ London (Gatwick)
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Passengers Onboard: 230
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Crew Members: 12
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Crash Time: 1:38 PM IST
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Location: Meghani Nagar area, Ahmedabad
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Survivors: Only 1 passenger confirmed alive
The aircraft reportedly reached just 625 feet before it began descending rapidly and crashed into the compound of a medical college hostel, triggering a massive fire and structural collapse.
🧑✈️ Who Was Onboard?
Authorities have confirmed the flight included:
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169 Indian nationals
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53 British citizens
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7 Portuguese nationals
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1 Canadian
Among the victims were families, international students, and business travelers. Among all passengers, only one individual—identified as British-Indian national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh—survived the crash and is currently being treated for injuries that are not life-threatening.
🆘 Rescue Efforts & Emergency Response
Emergency response teams, including city firefighters, NDRF squads, and airport safety units, arrived at the scene within minutes of the incident to begin rescue operations.
Medical response teams rushed the injured from the ground to nearby hospitals.
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Green corridors were created for ambulances in congested city roads.
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Over 40 ground injuries were reported, and at least 5 local deaths occurred due to the building collapse and explosion.
The crash site has been sealed off and declared a high-priority investigation zone.
🔍 Cause of the Crash: What We Know
Though a full investigation is still underway, early findings point to several possible contributing factors:The aircraft failed to gain altitude properly.
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Just before disappearing from radar, the aircraft reportedly sent out a distress call indicating critical failure.
Engine malfunction or a critical takeoff failure is suspected.
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Both Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) have been recovered.
Investigation Agencies Involved:
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Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India
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Boeing Company (USA)
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National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), USA
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GE Aerospace (engine manufacturer)
A preliminary report is expected within two weeks.
🕊️ National and Global Reactions
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “Heartbreaking loss. My prayers are with the victims’ families.”
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed deep sorrow and offered international support.
King Charles III expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of British nationals in the crash, calling the event deeply distressing.
Officials from Portugal and Canada have reached out through diplomatic channels to coordinate assistance and repatriation efforts for their affected citizens.
Three days of national mourning have been declared in India.
🔄 Timeline of Events
| Date & Time | Event |
|---|---|
| June 12, 1:35 PM IST | Flight AI171 takes off from Ahmedabad |
| June 12, 1:38 PM IST | Aircraft crashes in Meghani Nagar |
| June 12, 2:15 PM IST | Firefighters and NDRF begin rescue |
| June 12, 5:00 PM IST | Flight recorders recovered |
| June 12, 8:30 PM IST | PM Modi addresses the nation |
🔐 Why This Crash Matters
This is the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, considered one of the world’s safest and most modern aircraft.
It raises serious questions about:
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Aircraft maintenance protocols
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Takeoff safety procedures
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Emergency readiness at major Indian airports
Following news of the crash, Boeing’s stock experienced a sharp decline of around 5% in early trading hours.
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