India is reeling from one of the worst aviation disasters in its history after Air India Flight AI-171, carrying 242 people, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, 2025. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, en route to London Gatwick, went down in the Meghani Nagar area, striking a residential building believed to be a hostel linked to BJ Medical College. Eyewitnesses reported hearing multiple explosions as the aircraft plummeted and caught fire, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky.
Authorities have confirmed that over 200 bodies have been recovered from the wreckage, with fears that the final death toll could rise further. Most passengers on board were Indian nationals, with others from the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Canada. At least one person onboard is known to have survived and is receiving treatment at a local hospital, alongside several injured individuals on the ground. Emergency services, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Army, responded swiftly to the crash site.
This devastating incident marks the first-ever crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model widely regarded for its safety and modern design. The aircraft reportedly reached just 625 feet before nose-diving into the densely populated neighborhood. The cause of the crash remains unknown. Investigations have been launched by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States, Boeing, and Air India.
In the aftermath, flights at Ahmedabad airport have been suspended, and India has declared a national day of mourning. Tributes and condolences are pouring in from leaders across the world, including the British Prime Minister and India’s President. As the nation waits for answers, the focus remains on recovery efforts and providing support to the victims’ families, many of whom are devastated and searching for loved ones in the chaos.
