Ahmedabad plane crash LIVE updates: Air India confirms 241 of 242 on board dead

On 12th June 2025, India witnessed one of its most heartbreaking aviation disasters when Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad. Bound for London Gatwick, this flight carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members onboard. What should have been a routine international flight turned into a national nightmare within minutes of departure.

 

According to initial reports, just moments after liftoff at 1:38 PM IST, the pilot issued a Mayday call due to a sudden technical failure. The aircraft, unable to gain proper altitude, lost control and tragically plummeted into a densely populated area near the BJ Medical College doctors' hostel. Eyewitnesses reported a loud explosion followed by massive fire and smoke clouds that engulfed parts of the residential quarters.

 

The human toll of this disaster is staggering. Out of 242 onboard, 241 lives were lost, with only one survivor  Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British-Indian businessman who miraculously escaped with severe injuries. In addition, nearly 24 people on the ground also lost their lives, bringing the total death toll close to 265. Families have been shattered, and entire neighborhoods affected by the sudden and tragic loss.

 

Emergency services responded immediately. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Air Force, Army medical teams, and local police joined forces in rescue and relief operations. Rescue dogs and drones were deployed to locate trapped survivors, while hospitals in Ahmedabad were put on high alert to handle casualties. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the crash site, offering condolences and promising swift action. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, deeply affected, is scheduled to visit on 14th June.

 

The global response has been equally supportive. Condolences poured in from world leaders including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, King Charles III, and the United Nations Secretary-General. Tata Group, the parent company of Air India, announced an immediate compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of all deceased passengers and staff. Boeing, along with US and UK aviation authorities, is cooperating fully in the ongoing investigation.

 

Preliminary assessments indicate that there might have been a critical engine or control system malfunction. This marks the first fatal crash involving the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model considered to be among the safest in the world.