On 12 June 2025, Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner (tail number VT‑ANB), departed from Ahmedabad Airport at 13:38 IST, bound for London Gatwick. Facing clear weather and good visibility, it suddenly started descending after reaching approximately 625 feet. The aircraft lost communication and collided directly with a hostel block of the B.J. Medical College campus in Meghani Nagar, just minutes after takeoff .
📌 The Human Toll
242 people were aboard (230 passengers, 12 crew); only one survived—Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin seated in 11A, who was thrown from the wreckage moments before it exploded .
At least 241 on the aircraft perished, plus 28 individuals on the ground, primarily medical students living in the hostel block. More than 60 others were injured .
Among those lost was Vijay Rupani, the former Chief Minister of Gujarat (2016–2021) .
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🎥 Witness Accounts & Rescue
Eyewitness videos depict the aircraft spiraling into a fireball, with parts of its landing gear, fuselage, and tail piercing the hostel’s roof . Firefighters, police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Army, BSF, NSG, and civil hospital staff swiftly mobilized to contain the fire and evacuate the injured .
Due to the extensive damage and charring, DNA testing is being used to identify victims, and black box data is under analysis .
✅ The Sole Survivor’s Story
From his hospital bed, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh described the ordeal: the plane began to descend almost immediately, broke apart mid-air, and ignited upon impact. He sustained injuries to his chest, eyes, and feet and was in stable condition . Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally visited him and other victims in the hospital .
🕵️♂️ Investigation Underway
The DGCA, alongside the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), has launched a full-scale probe adhering to ICAO protocols, with technical assistance from:
UK AAIB
US NTSB & FAA
Boeing (airframe manufacturer)
GE Aerospace (engine maker)
Preliminary data noted a Mayday call shortly before the transponder signal was lost, indicating a sudden malfunction in the climb phase .
🔍 Why This Crash Is Historic
This marks the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in its 16-year global service history .
With 269 confirmed deaths, it’s now India’s deadliest aviation disaster in a single aircraft incident .
📜 Aftermath & Reactions
Compensation: Tata Group and Air India pledged support for victims’ families and injured survivors. A crisis helpline has also been established .
Political responses: India’s PM Modi, HM Amit Shah, UK PM Keir Starmer, King Charles III, and Pope Francis voiced condolences. Indian business leaders like Mukesh Ambani extended support for relief operations
Flight operations temporarily halted at Ahmedabad Airport, which resumed later at limited capacity .
🧭 What’s Next?
Crash site recovery — black boxes retrieved; debris is being analyzed.
Terminal investigation phases — cockpit voice recordings, maintenance logs, crew training records, weather data.
Regulatory oversight — DGCA and international partners will determine any design, procedural, or human error issues.
Policy reforms — expected to include revisions in pilot training, flight safety checks, and structural evaluation of training infrastructure. Final Words
💔 Final Words
As Ahmedabad and the nation mourn, this tragedy underscores the essential needs of aviation: rigorous safety checks, transparent investigations, and swift accountability. The courage of first responders, the remarkable story of the sole survivor, and the heartfelt global condolence demonstrate our shared humanity—even in moments of profound loss.
