Air India Flight Crashes in Ahmedabad, Over 260 Dead in One of India’s Worst Aviation Disasters

Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 — A devastating aviation tragedy unfolded in Ahmedabad yesterday when Air India Flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, crashed just moments after takeoff, claiming the lives of at least 269 people, including all but one of the 243 people on board.

Airplane

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner had departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport when it suddenly lost contact with air traffic control less than a minute into the flight. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion as the aircraft went down in the Meghani Nagar area, slamming into the student hostel of B.J. Medical College and igniting a massive fire that swept through nearby buildings.

Among the casualties were 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The crash also killed 28 people on the ground and injured more than 60 others. Emergency services arrived quickly but faced intense flames and widespread destruction. It took several hours for fire crews to bring the blaze under control.

Remarkably, one passenger survived. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old man from the UK, was found alive amidst the wreckage. He was seated in 11A and was traveling with his brother, who sadly did not survive. Ramesh is currently recovering in an Ahmedabad hospital and is said to be in stable condition.

The plane involved, registered as VT-ANB, had a spotless safety record and had recently completed flights to international destinations including Paris, Tokyo, and Melbourne. No technical issues had been reported before this tragic journey.

Officials from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have launched an investigation into the crash. Black box recovery efforts are underway to help determine what led to the catastrophic failure.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer both offered their condolences, pledging support for the families of those affected. “This is a day of national mourning,” Modi said in a statement. “We will ensure a full investigation and support every family touched by this tragedy.”

This incident marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 since the aircraft type entered service in 2011, and it stands as one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Indian history.

The cause of the crash remains unknown, and authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation until a full report is available. Further updates are expected as the investigation continues.