Ahmedabad, India – In one of the gravest aviation disasters in India’s history, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12. The catastrophe resulted in 269 fatalities, including 241 passengers and crew members on board and at least 28 individuals on the ground.
The flight departed at 1:38 PM IST, but within 30 seconds, the aircraft lost altitude and crashed into the hostel block of B.J. Medical College in the Meghani Nagar neighborhood. Eyewitnesses reported hearing multiple explosions and seeing thick plumes of smoke as the plane ignited upon impact.
Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was traveling to the UK for a family event. The crash also claimed the lives of numerous medical students residing in the hostel, including five students and a pregnant woman.
Miraculously, one passenger survived the crash. British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, seated in 11A near an emergency exit, managed to escape the burning wreckage. He sustained multiple injuries and is currently recovering in a local hospital. Tragically, his brother, who was also on the flight, did not survive.
Emergency services responded swiftly, deploying six teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), two units from the Border Security Force (BSF), and personnel from the Indian Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Rescue operations were hampered by the extensive debris and ongoing fires, but efforts continued into the night.
Air India activated an emergency response center and dispatched support teams to assist victims’ families. Chairman N. Chandrasekaran emphasized the airline’s commitment to providing aid and support during this crisis.
Preliminary reports suggest a potential technical failure, as indicated by a “Mayday” call before communication ceased. The aircraft’s black box has been recovered and is being analyzed by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with assistance from international aviation bodies, including the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch and the US National Transportation Safety Board.
This incident marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 since its introduction, raising concerns about the aircraft’s safety record. Boeing has pledged full cooperation with the investigation.
The tragedy has elicited condolences from leaders worldwide. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “heartbreaking beyond words” and visited the crash site to meet with victims’ families and the sole survivor. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III also expressed their sympathies, acknowledging the loss of 53 British nationals in the crash.
As investigations continue, the nation mourns the loss of lives and grapples with the profound impact of this disaster. Memorials and vigils are being organized across India and in the UK to honor the victims. The aviation community awaits answers that may prevent such tragedies in the future.