More than 200 people have been confirmed dead after Air India Flight AI171 crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was carrying 242 people, including 12 crew members, when it went down minutes after departing at 1:38 p.m. local time.
The aircraft reportedly struck a government hospital hostel housing medical students and doctors, causing a massive explosion that was captured on video and widely shared online. The wreckage left a path of destruction and triggered an immediate large-scale emergency response.
Nationalities on Board and Casualties
According to Air India, the flight included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven from Portugal, and one Canadian. Local authorities later confirmed that at least 204 bodies were recovered.
Around 50 medical students were hospitalized, some in critical condition. The Federation of All India Medical Association reported five students remain missing, along with family members of doctors residing in the hostel.
Eyewitnesses and Survivors Share Accounts
Darshna Vaghela, a nearby local politician, described hearing a loud crash before helping rescue trapped residents. “We rescued many doctors from their flats,” she said.
Ramila, a mother of one medical student, recalled her son narrowly surviving by jumping from the second floor during his lunch break. Injured but alive, he was among many rushed to local hospitals.
At Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital, family members anxiously searched for loved ones. One man, Poonam Patel, told ANI that his sister-in-law was on the ill-fated flight and he rushed to the scene upon hearing the news.
Royal Condolences and Global Reaction
King Charles expressed his grief in a statement issued by the Royal Family, calling the crash “appallingly tragic.” He and Queen Camilla extended their deepest sympathies to all those affected and praised the emergency services for their swift response.
Air India Responds with Support and Coordination
Air India confirmed the crash on its social media channels and is fully cooperating with investigators. The airline activated emergency helplines for domestic and international families and urged the media not to contact them directly.
CEO Campbell Wilson addressed the tragedy in a video statement, calling it a “difficult day” for the airline. He assured the public that Air India’s focus remains on supporting passengers, crew, and their families. Wilson also announced the deployment of a caregiver team to Ahmedabad and emphasized their collaboration with local authorities on recovery efforts.
Rescue Efforts and Investigations Underway
Security personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force were among the first to respond, initiating emergency protocols at the scene. Ongoing rescue operations are being conducted in coordination with local agencies and are focused on identifying victims and aiding survivors.
Boeing issued a statement acknowledging the incident and offering condolences. The aircraft manufacturer confirmed it is working with Air India and relevant authorities as the investigation proceeds.
While the cause of the crash has yet to be determined, early speculation from aviation experts suggests a possible malfunction involving the plane’s wing flaps.
India’s Worst Air Disaster in Recent Years
This tragedy marks the deadliest air disaster in India in recent memory. The country’s last fatal aviation incident occurred in August 2020, when an Air India Express flight overshot the runway in Kozhikode, killing 21 people.
As investigations continue, recovery operations remain in full force, and the nation mourns the lives lost in this devastating event.
