Ahmedabad, June 13 : In one of the worst aviation disasters in India’s recent history, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight en route from Ahmedabad to London crashed just moments after takeoff on Thursday, claiming the lives of at least 265 people. The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew, plummeted into a medical college complex in the Meghaninagar area, triggering a massive fire that also killed several people on the ground.
The ill-fated Flight AI-171 had departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:39 PM. Mere seconds after becoming airborne, the aircraft issued a Mayday call, signaling an emergency. However, it crashed before Air Traffic Control (ATC) could respond.
The crash site, a state-run medical college hostel, was full of students at lunchtime. At least 80 students were dining when the aircraft tore through the building, resulting in fatalities and burn injuries.
Officials confirmed that 265 bodies had been recovered and taken to the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Among the dead were four MBBS students and the wife of a doctor. Several children and infants also perished in the tragedy.
A lone survivor, British national Viswash Kumar Ramesh, miraculously walked away from the wreckage. He was traveling with his brother, though they had been seated separately. Now being treated at Civil Hospital, Viswash continues to search for his sibling.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was aboard the doomed flight. Though his death was not initially confirmed by authorities, BJP state chief C.R. Paatil later announced Rupani had died in the crash. His wife, who was in London at the time, is returning to Ahmedabad.
The Gujarat Government has announced that the bodies of the deceased will be handed over to families only after three days, following DNA verification. Families have been called in for testing to aid in identification.
Eyewitnesses described the horrific impact and subsequent blaze. CCTV footage from nearby areas captured the plane plunging steeply before crashing. The tail of the aircraft was seen lodged on the building’s roof, while debris and human remains scattered across the college campus. Some students jumped from upper floors to escape the fire and were injured in the process.
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, known for its advanced design and safety. It had been in service since 2014 with Air India and had no known prior faults. Experts remain puzzled about the cause of the crash, though some raised concerns about the landing gear being unusually deployed during takeoff. While bird strikes are known to occur in the region, it remains unclear if one played a role in the catastrophe.
Air India confirmed that all pre-flight checks were completed and no issues were detected before departure. Of the 242 on board, 169 were Indian citizens, alongside 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. The flight was destined for London’s Gatwick Airport.
The tragic incident has prompted an international response. Aircraft engine manufacturer GE is dispatching a technical team to assist in investigations. Boeing’s stock dropped nearly 7% following the crash.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow, calling the event “heartbreaking beyond words.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the images from the crash “devastating” and said he was receiving regular updates.
The Tata Group, which took over Air India in 2022 and merged it with Vistara in 2024, has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each victim.
A Family’s Final Journey: Dreams Silenced by Tragedy
This is Dr. Pratik Joshi, pictured with his wife and their three children. For the past six years, Dr. Joshi had been living in London, working tirelessly to build a life stable enough to reunite with his family. After years of patience, perseverance, and paperwork, he finally secured the necessary clearances for his wife and children to join him in the UK.
This photograph—sent to a relative shortly before boarding the ill-fated Air India Flight AI171—is their last image together. More than a family portrait, it captures the joy of reunion and the hope of a fresh start. But in a cruel twist of fate, that hope was lost in the tragic crash.
Their story is not just one of personal loss, but a reminder of how fragile dreams can be. Every life lost, every family shattered—regardless of nationality, faith, or background—deserves to be remembered. Behind every tragedy is a story that must be told.
Air India Crash Goes Viral: “Goodbye India, Going Back Happily”
In a haunting twist to the tragic Air India Flight AI171 crash, a final Instagram video shared by one of the British passengers has surfaced, capturing his farewell moments before the fatal journey. Jamie Ray Meek, a British national, posted a brief video from Ahmedabad airport, smiling and reflecting on his trip to India just moments before boarding the ill-fated flight.
View this post on Instagram
In the now-viral clip, Meek can be seen in high spirits, saying, “We’re at the airport, just boarding. Goodbye India, 10-hour flight back to London.” Speaking with someone beside him, he offers a lighthearted reflection from his journey, “My biggest takeaway is to not lose your patience with your partner,” ending the video with a peaceful smile and the words, “Going back happily, happily, happily calm.”
Tragically, the aircraft never completed its journey. Flight AI171, bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 out of 242 people on board, including Meek. The incident has been described as one of the most devastating air disasters in recent memory.
Meek’s video has since become a symbol of the human stories behind the tragedy, resonating with thousands online who were moved by his calm and joyful farewell. Social media users have expressed shock and sorrow, sharing condolences and remembering the lives lost in the crash.
Air India Plane Crash: Trump Offers Support, Calls It One of the Worst in Aviation History
Reacting to the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, former U.S. President Donald Trump described the incident as “horrific” and extended support to India during this difficult time.
Speaking from the White House, Trump said, “The plane crash was terrible. I’ve already told them—if there’s anything we can do, we’ll be there immediately. India is a big and strong country. I’m sure they’ll handle it, but I let them know we’re ready to assist.”
#WATCH | Air India Plane Crash | US President Donald Trump says, “The plane crash was terrible. I’ve already told them if there is anything we can do. It’s a big country, a strong country. They’ll handle it, I’m sure. But I let them know that anything we can do, we’ll be over… pic.twitter.com/c5nekLKnrk
— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2025
Expressing sorrow over the lives lost, he added, “It looks like most people are gone. There may be a couple of survivors, but nobody really knows yet. We saw the footage. The plane appeared to be flying normally. There was no sign of an explosion. It just seemed like the engines lost power.”
Calling it one of the worst disasters in aviation history, Trump concluded, “It’s a terrible crash—devastating.”
(Source: The White House)
