Air India Flight 171 Tragedy

A Boeing passenger plane bound for London tragically crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2025. The incident resulted in the deaths of 241 out of the 242 individuals on board.

The aircraft went down in a residential area, raising concerns about possible casualties on the ground as well.

Officials confirmed that the ill-fated Air India Flight 171 took off from Ahmedabad, a city with nearly five million residents, and crashed just five minutes later, while en route to London.

“The flight departed Ahmedabad at 13:38 hrs with 242 passengers and crew,” the airline stated. “Among them were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national, and seven Portuguese nationals.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his sorrow, stating, “The scenes emerging from Ahmedabad are devastating.”

Commissioner G.S. Malik indicated that “it appears there are no survivors from the crash” while also noting that some local residents might have died due to the crash impact.

“Exact figures on casualties are still being confirmed,” he added.

In a surprising twist, one British passenger survived the crash. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who was seated in 11A, is recuperating in a hospital. He was discovered limping in the street shortly after the accident, recounting his experience to a news outlet from his hospital bed.

Reports indicated that the pilot made a “mayday” distress call mere seconds after takeoff. Footage showed the aircraft losing altitude and bursting into flames, creating a cloud of black smoke over the area.

Images revealed the plane had crashed into a doctor’s residence, with part of it protruding from the building.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “heartbreaking beyond words.”

“In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected,” he posted on social media.

India’s aviation minister, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, assured that “rescue teams have been mobilized, and efforts are being made to provide medical aid and relief support.”

Meanwhile, Air India’s chairman announced that the airline is committed to supporting first responders in every possible way.

“Right now, our focus is on aiding those impacted and their families,” she said, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to assisting emergency teams at the site.

As a precaution, all flights from Ahmedabad airport were suspended. Gatwick airport confirmed that the flight, intended to arrive at 6:25 p.m. in London, had crashed shortly after takeoff.

According to the Aviation Safety Network, this marks the first crash involving a Boeing 787 aircraft.

Boeing acknowledged the tragedy and stated they are “working to gather more information.”

British cabinet minister Lucy Powell noted that the government would extend “all possible support” to those affected by the disaster.

“This story is developing, and it’s causing significant concern for families and communities here and those waiting for loved ones,” she mentioned to lawmakers.

“Our deepest sympathies are with all those families, and we will provide support to those in India and at home,” she added.

It’s worth noting that the deadliest aviation disaster in India occurred on November 12, 1996, when a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight collided mid-air with a Kazakhstan Airlines flight, claiming the lives of all 349 people aboard both aircraft.