Tragedy in the Skies: The Air India Boeing 787 Crash That Shook the World
On June 12, 2025, a long-haul passenger aircraft operated by Air India and bound for London Gatwick Airport crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad International Airport in the state of Gujarat, India. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI 171, was carrying 232 passengers and 12 crew members—a total of 244 souls on board—when it vanished from radar less than a minute after liftoff.
In this comprehensive report, we examine what is known about the crash, situate it within the broader context of aviation safety and industry challenges, explore the human stories of loss and survival, and explain how investigations proceed after such tragedies.
Flight AI 171: The Final Hours Before Impact
Flight AI 171 was scheduled to depart Ahmedabad at 13:38 local time on June 12, 2025, flying to London Gatwick with a full passenger load for the summer travel season. Shortly after liftoff, at an altitude of only a few hundred feet, the aircraft issued a Mayday distress call, signaling an emergency to air traffic controllers—but the nature of the emergency was initially unknown. Within moments, the aircraft disappeared from radar surveillance and plummeted into the residential neighborhood of Meghani Nagar, just outside the perimeter of the airport.
Eyewitnesses described the scene in stark terms: a fiery explosion, a rising column of thick black smoke, and the horrific aftermath of burning wreckage strewn across city streets. Firefighters, ambulances, police, and military units were rapidly mobilized to contain the fires and search for survivors amid the smoldering ruins.
Authorities confirmed that the flight manifest included citizens from multiple countries, with the majority being Indian nationals, along with a significant number of British, Portuguese, and at least one Canadian passenger. Also on board was Vijay Rupani, the former Chief Minister of Gujarat, adding prominence and sorrow to the list of those lost.
Human Cost: Victims and Survivors
In the immediate aftermath, the official death toll was difficult to establish as rescue workers combed through fiery wreckage and damaged buildings. Due to the location of the crash in a populated area, casualties included not only those aboard the aircraft but also residents on the ground.
By the end of June 12, police and emergency officials reported that at least 260 bodies had been transported to local hospitals, with authorities cautioning that the number could continue to climb as additional victims were found in the surrounding area. Numerous residents and emergency responders were also injured during the chaotic rescue operations.
Emergency Response and Immediate Aftermath
The response to the disaster involved multiple agencies at municipal, state, and national levels. Fire crews battled intense flames fueled by jet fuel and the wreckage’s proximity to residential buildings complicated rescue efforts. Hospitals in Ahmedabad quickly activated emergency protocols to receive scores of injured people, both crash survivors and civilians caught in the blast.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered that all necessary resources be mobilized “on a war footing” to support rescue and recovery operations. Government officials established crisis centers to assist the families of passengers and crew, while diplomatic missions from affected countries worked in coordination with Indian authorities to account for their citizens.
The airport itself was closed for several hours as investigators secured the scene and debris was documented for forensic analysis. Flights into and out of Ahmedabad were temporarily suspended, causing ripple effects across the region’s air traffic network.
Technical Profile: The Boeing 787 Dreamliner
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