On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, tragically crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India. The flight, bound for London Gatwick, carried 242 individuals—230 passengers and 12 crew members. Only one passenger survived, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s history
The Crash Incident
The aircraft took off at 1:38 PM IST and crashed into a hostel building of B. J. Medical College in the Meghaninagar area, approximately 30 seconds after departure. The crash resulted in the deaths of all 241 people on board and at least 38 individuals on the ground . The sole survivor, identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national, managed to escape the wreckage and is currently receiving medical care .
Victims and Nationalities
The passengers aboard the ill-fated flight hailed from various countries:
- 169 Indian nationals
- 53 British nationals
- 7 Portuguese nationals
- 1 Canadian national
Among the passengers was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani . The crash also claimed the lives of several medical students and faculty members at B. J. Medical College, leading to widespread grief within the medical community
Investigation and Preliminary Findings
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has initiated a thorough investigation into the crash. Preliminary analyses suggest that a critical cockpit error may have occurred, where the co-pilot might have retracted the flaps instead of the landing gear, leading to a loss of lift and control . Additionally, experts are examining potential faults in the engine, flaps, and landing gear . The aircraft involved was a 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, marking the first fatal crash for this model in its 16-year global operation .
Government Response and Support
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and met with the sole survivor and injured victims at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. He expressed condolences and assured continued government support . The Ministry of Civil Aviation has ordered enhanced maintenance checks on Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet .
Global Reactions and Condolences
The international community has expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed condolences, describing the incident as a painful and tragic loss of life . Air India’s parent company, Tata Group, announced a compensation of 10 million rupees to the families of the deceased and pledged to cover medical expenses for the injured .
Medical Community’s Response
The crash has deeply affected the medical fraternity. The Indian Medical Association’s Medical Students’ Network issued an urgent call for blood donations to assist the overwhelmed healthcare system . Medical associations have described the incident as a “black day” for Indian doctors
Conclusion
The Air India Flight 171 crash stands as a somber reminder of the vulnerabilities in air travel. While investigations continue, the tragedy underscores the need for rigorous safety protocols and swift responses to aviation incidents. The global outpouring of support highlights the shared humanity in the face of such devastating events
Sourashis Chanda brings readers their unique perspective on Business, Economy, Health and Fitness. With a background in Health and Physical Fitness of 2years, I am dedicated to exploring [what they aim to achieve with their writing, on the sustainable Economy of the country, various pro tips about business, latest goverment news, with some tips in health are and Fitness.
- Sourashis Chandahttps://indiatadkha.com/author/sourashis/
- Sourashis Chandahttps://indiatadkha.com/author/sourashis/
- Sourashis Chandahttps://indiatadkha.com/author/sourashis/
- Sourashis Chandahttps://indiatadkha.com/author/sourashis/
