Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 —
In a devastating incident early Thursday morning, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. All 242 people aboard the flight have been confirmed dead.
The ill-fated flight, designated AI-171, took off at approximately 2:15 a.m. local time. Airport officials reported that the aircraft encountered technical difficulties moments after leaving the runway, losing altitude rapidly before crashing into a nearby field less than five kilometers from the airport perimeter.
Emergency response teams were dispatched immediately. Firefighters, paramedics, and police worked through the night to reach the crash site, but authorities have since confirmed that there were no survivors among the 231 passengers and 11 crew members. The identities of the victims, which include Indian nationals, foreign travelers, and airline staff, are being verified. Next-of-kin notifications are underway.
“This is a national tragedy,” said India’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Ramesh Mehta, at a press briefing Thursday morning. “We mourn the loss of every life aboard AI-171. Full support is being extended to the families affected.”
Eyewitness accounts describe a terrifying scene, with some reporting hearing a loud explosion followed by fireballs lighting up the sky. Several nearby residents rushed to the scene before authorities arrived but were unable to assist due to the intense blaze engulfing the wreckage.
Investigators from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India’s safety teams are working in conjunction with Boeing representatives to determine the cause of the crash. The aircraft’s flight data recorder (black box) has been recovered and is expected to provide crucial information.
Early unconfirmed reports suggest that a mechanical failure may have contributed to the catastrophe, though officials have not ruled out other possibilities, including human error or external factors.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner model involved in the crash was reportedly delivered to Air India in 2018 and had a solid maintenance record. However, experts caution that comprehensive investigations can take months to reach definitive conclusions.
This disaster marks one of the deadliest aviation accidents in India’s recent history and has prompted an outpouring of grief both nationally and internationally. Messages of condolence have come from world leaders, airline industry groups, and the Indian diaspora abroad.
Air India has opened a 24-hour emergency hotline for relatives seeking information about their loved ones. Grief counseling and support services are also being provided.
As India comes to terms with this heartbreaking event, flags will fly at half-mast across the country in honor of the victims.
