India’s Deadliest Air Crash in a Decade: Air India Flight to London Explodes After Takeoff from Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 — India was struck by a devastating aviation disaster early this morning as Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating a scheduled flight to London Gatwick, crashed just minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft crashed into a residential and institutional zone, claiming the lives of all 242 people on board and several on the ground.

What Happened

The ill-fated flight took off around 4:35 AM with 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Within five minutes, the pilots issued a distress signal, and the aircraft lost altitude rapidly, crashing into the Meghani Nagar area. It first collided with the mess facility of BJ Medical College and then impacted a multi-storey hostel for resident doctors.

Residents reported a loud explosion followed by a massive fire and thick black smoke. Eyewitnesses described panic and destruction as buildings shook and fires spread across the crash site.

Casualties and Rescue Efforts

All 242 people on board lost their lives, including passengers from multiple nationalities — 169 Indians, 53 British citizens, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian. Several people on the ground, including medical students, also died, with many more injured and hospitalized.

Emergency teams comprising more than 100 firefighters, medical personnel, and over 130 Indian Army officials launched a large-scale rescue operation. An emergency military hospital was activated, and massive equipment was deployed to clear debris and search for bodies. The tail section of the aircraft remained lodged in the hostel’s structure for several hours.

Aircraft Background

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, known for its modern design and safety record, had never experienced a fatal crash until today. The aircraft involved in the tragedy was eight years old and had passed routine technical inspections recently. This marks the first-ever fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 globally since the model entered commercial service.

Official Reactions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the crash a national tragedy and expressed condolences to the families affected. Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reached Ahmedabad to monitor rescue efforts personally.

International leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, also expressed their sorrow over the incident, particularly as dozens of British citizens were among the deceased.

Investigation Initiated

A high-level investigation is now underway, led by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with technical support from Boeing and GE Aerospace. Flight data and cockpit voice recorders are being recovered and analyzed.

Initial theories include potential engine failure or critical mechanical malfunction, though officials have urged the public to avoid speculation until official findings are released.

Flight Disruptions

Ahmedabad airport temporarily suspended all operations for several hours following the crash. While flights have now resumed, enhanced safety protocols and inspections are in place to ensure operational integrity.

National Mourning

This accident is one of the deadliest air disasters in Indian aviation history and a tragic blow to the nation’s collective spirit. Families across the globe are grieving as the country awaits clarity on what caused this fatal crash.

As the investigation unfolds, India stands united in mourning the lives lost in this unprecedented catastrophe.