Tragedy in the Skies: Air India Flight 171 Crashes After Take off from Ahmedabad
In this blog you get update about plane crash in Ahmedabad so far
Over 279 Dead as Dreamliner Slams into Medical College Hostel
Ahmedabad, India – June 12, 2025:
In one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory, Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and at least 38 people on the ground.
The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, went down just minutes after departing the runway at 13:38 IST. The jet failed to gain proper altitude, pitched nose-up, and then plunged into the hostel block of B.J. Medical College in Meghaninagar — a densely populated area just 1.5 kilometers from the airport.
🛩️ Final Moments: A Brief Climb, Then a Fatal Descent
According to eyewitness accounts and video footage, the Dreamliner initially climbed to a few hundred feet before stalling mid-air. The aircraft’s landing gear was still down, and flaps appeared unusually extended for that phase of flight — a potential sign of mechanical or procedural issues.
Moments later, the plane descended rapidly, its nose tilted downward, and crashed directly into the hostel building, erupting into a massive fireball. Parts of the fuselage, including the tail and cockpit, smashed through the roof and ignited a fire that swept through the dormitory and nearby structures.
🚨 Devastation on the Ground
The impact site — a residential block of young medical students — became an inferno of twisted metal and collapsed concrete. Five students eating lunch in the dining hall were killed instantly, while dozens more suffered severe burns and blunt trauma injuries.
At least 38 people on the ground have been confirmed dead, and more than 60 were injured, many critically. A local hospital reported receiving 186 bodies from the crash site within hours.
🧑🚒 Emergency Response: A Race Against Time
More than 300 firefighters and 60 fire engines responded within minutes, aided by ambulances, military units, and teams from India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Heavy machinery was deployed to clear debris and locate survivors trapped beneath the rubble.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel ordered a “war footing” response, with green corridors established to rush injured victims to emergency facilities. Union Home Minister Amit Shah monitored operations closely, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his “shock and deep sorrow” over the tragedy.
🙏 The Sole Survivor
Miraculously, one passenger — a British-Indian man seated in 11A — survived the crash with non-life-threatening injuries. He reportedly exited through a break in the fuselage moments after impact and was treated for minor burns and shock.
His survival, while remarkable, brings little solace to the hundreds of families grieving their loved ones.
🕵️♀️ Investigation Underway: What Went Wrong?
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the probe, assisted by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and UK investigators under international protocol.
Authorities recovered the aircraft’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders ("black boxes") the following day. Preliminary analysis suggests the pilots declared a mayday and reported a loss of thrust or engine power within seconds of takeoff.
Video footage and radar data indicate the aircraft was heavily fueled for its long-haul flight and struggled to climb before it nosedived. Investigators are reviewing possible engine failure, flight control system malfunction, or pilot error. The gear’s failure to retract and odd flap settings are also key focus areas.
💬 Official Reactions and Global Grief
Leaders from around the world expressed condolences:
Prime Minister Modi: “This tragedy has stunned and saddened us all. Our prayers are with every affected family.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer: “Devastating scenes. We mourn alongside our friends in India.”
King Charles III: “Deeply shocked. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families.”
Canada, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Vatican also issued official messages of support.
Public vigils were held in Ahmedabad, Delhi, and London’s BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple, where hundreds gathered in prayer. Online, hashtags like #HauslaRakhnaAhmedabad trended as people shared stories of loss and survival.
⚖️ Compensation, Reforms, and Safety Inspections
Air India’s parent company, Tata Sons, announced ₹1 crore (approx. £95,000) in compensation for families of each deceased passenger, plus ₹25 lakh from Air India. The sole survivor will receive both compensations.
India’s DGCA has ordered urgent technical inspections of all Boeing 787 aircraft operated in the country, focusing on engines, control systems, and flight software.
A high-level review panel has been established to evaluate current air disaster protocols and consider new safety measures, especially for airports near urban zones.
📌 A Grim Milestone
This is the first-ever fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model introduced in 2011 and praised for its advanced safety and efficiency. The incident marks one of India’s worst aviation tragedies in over two decades, with a total death toll of at least 279.
As investigations continue, the crash is already reshaping Indian aviation oversight and sparking urgent global discussion around urban airport safety, aircraft reliability, and emergency preparedness.