Air India Flight 171 crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 241 of 242 on board, including ex-CM Vijay Rupani. Learn the latest on the sole survivor and the investigation.
Table Of Contents
Key Points
- Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed 33 seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, en route to London Gatwick.
- The crash killed 241 of 242 people on board, with one survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, and at least eight ground casualties, including four medical students.
- Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the victims, confirmed dead alongside 229 passengers and 12 crew members.
- The plane struck a BJ Medical College hostel in Meghani Nagar, sparking a massive blaze and complicating rescue efforts.
- A mayday call was issued before the crash, and one black box has been recovered; investigations point to a possible bird strike or mechanical failure.
- The Tata Group announced Rs 1 crore compensation per victim, with additional payments under the Montreal Convention.
Overview
On June 12, 2025, a catastrophic tragedy unfolded in Ahmedabad, India, when Air India Flight 171 crashed just 33 seconds after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London Gatwick, carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members, totaling 242 individuals.
The aircraft plummeted into the Meghani Nagar neighborhood, striking the dining area of a BJ Medical College hostel, resulting in 241 fatalities on board, eight confirmed ground deaths, and numerous injuries.
Among the victims was Vijay Rupani, former Chief Minister of Gujarat, whose loss has deepened the nation’s grief.
With one miraculous survivor and ongoing investigations, here’s the latest on this devastating incident.
Flight Details
Air India Flight 171 was a scheduled international flight operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registration VT-ANB, delivered to Air India in January 2014.
The aircraft, equipped with General Electric GEnx engines, was designed for long-haul efficiency and had no prior fatal incidents.
The flight departed Ahmedabad at 1:39 PM IST (8:09 AM GMT) from runway 23, with an expected arrival at London Gatwick at 6:25 PM GMT.
The passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national.
Notably, 33 passengers were from Gujarat’s Anand district, 19 from Vadodara, and 17 from Kheda, reflecting a significant local impact.
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with 8,200 hours of flying experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar, with 1,100 hours, commanded the flight.
| Flight | Details |
|---|---|
| Flight Number | AI 171 |
| Aircraft Type | Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner |
| Registration | VT-ANB |
| Departure | Ahmedabad, India |
| Destination | London Gatwick, UK |
| Passengers | 230 |
| Crew | 12 |
| Total On Board | 242 |
| Captain | Sumeet Sabharwal (8,200 hours) |
| First Officer | Clive Kundar (1,100 hours) |
| Departure Time | 1:39 PM IST, June 12, 2025 |
The Crash
The tragedy occurred at approximately 1:40 PM IST, just 33 seconds after takeoff.
Flight 171 issued a mayday call to air traffic control, indicating a life-threatening emergency, followed by a violent jolt reported by the sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.
The aircraft, struggling to gain altitude, barely cleared rooftops in Meghani Nagar before crashing into the BJ Medical College hostel, erupting into a fireball.
CCTV footage showed the plane disappearing behind buildings, followed by a massive explosion, with 125,000 liters of fuel igniting thick black smoke.
Flightradar24 data indicates the aircraft reached only 625 feet before losing ADS-B signal, suggesting a failure to achieve sufficient lift. U.S. aerospace consultant Anthony Brickhouse noted the landing gear was down during the crash, which was unusual for that phase of flight and hinted at a possible mechanical issue.
The high temperature in Ahmedabad, exceeding 40°C, may have required higher flap settings and engine thrust, potentially exacerbating any underlying problems.
Casualties
The Ahmedabad plane crash resulted in 241 fatalities on board, with Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national seated in 11A near an emergency exit, as the sole survivor.
He sustained multiple injuries but was found alive amid the debris and is receiving treatment.
On the ground, at least eight people died, including four medical students and four relatives of students at the BJ Medical College hostel. Approximately 40 individuals, including 21 medical students, were injured.
As of June 13, 2025, 265 bodies have been recovered, with 204 identified and over 100 brought to the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad for DNA sampling by relatives.
The crash site, a densely packed residential area, complicated rescue efforts, with debris scattered widely.
| Casualty | Details |
|---|---|
| Fatalities (On Board) | 241 of 242 |
| Sole Survivor | Vishwash Kumar Ramesh (British national, seat 11A) |
| Fatalities (Ground) | At least 8 (4 medical students, 4 relatives) |
| Injuries | ~40, including 21 medical students |
| Total Bodies Recovered | 265 |
| Crash Site | Meghani Nagar, BJ Medical College hostel |
| Date and Time | June 12, 2025, ~1:40 PM IST |
Sole Survivor
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, miraculously survived the Air India Flight 171 crash.
Seated in 11A next to an emergency exit, he recalled a violent jolt and the pilot’s distress call before leaping from the disintegrating plane.
Now in hospital care, Ramesh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 13, who praised his resilience.
His survival, one of about two dozen sole-survivor cases in major crashes over 80 years, marks this incident as the deadliest with a single survivor.
Vijay Rupani
Vijay Rupani, born August 2, 1956, in Yangon, Myanmar, was a prominent Indian politician and the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat (2016–2021).
Raised in Rajkot after his family fled political unrest, Rupani earned a BA from Dharmendrasinhji Arts College and an LLB from Saurashtra University.
A stockbroker and partner in Rasiklal & Sons, he entered politics through the RSS and Jan Sangh, later rising in the BJP as Rajya Sabha member, Rajkot Mayor, and state president.
His tenure as Chief Minister emphasized infrastructure, education, and healthcare, earning him widespread respect. Rupani, 68, was traveling in business class when the crash occurred.
His death prompted tributes from leaders like PM Modi, who called him “a dedicated leader and dear friend,” and condolences from celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan and Anupam Kher, who shared emotional messages about the tragedy’s impact.
| Vijay Rupani | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | August 2, 1956, Yangon, Myanmar |
| Died | June 12, 2025, Ahmedabad, India |
| Education | BA, LLB (Saurashtra University) |
| Political Party | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
| Key Roles | Gujarat CM (2016–2021), Rajya Sabha, Rajkot Mayor |
| Notable Contributions | Infrastructure, education, and healthcare reforms |
Official Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and Civil Hospital on June 13, meeting survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh and reviewing medical arrangements.
He described the tragedy as “heartbreaking beyond words” and is overseeing relief efforts.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed condolences for the 53 British victims, while China’s President Xi Jinping sent messages to Modi and King Charles.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed robust rescue operations, involving 130 Indian Army personnel, 90 NDRF members from Gandhinagar, and additional teams from Vadodara, totaling seven NDRF units.
Home Minister Amit Shah visited the Trauma Centre at Civil Hospital, ensuring emergency care.
Air India’s chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, expressed “profound sorrow” and established Friends & Relatives Assistance Centres at Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Gatwick airports.
The Tata Group pledged Rs 1 crore (£86,000) per victim’s family, with Air India liable for up to Rs 1.5 crore under the Montreal Convention.
Relief flights from Delhi and Mumbai are transporting families to Ahmedabad. Community efforts include blood donation drives, with the Civil Hospital overwhelmed by demand.
Social media posts on X reflect public grief, with calls for donations and support.
| Response Efforts | Details |
|---|---|
| Rescue Operations | 130 Army, 90 NDRF (7 teams total) |
| Medical Support | Civil Hospital, Trauma Centre, blood drives |
| Assistance Centres | Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Gatwick airports |
| Compensation | Rs 1 crore (Tata Group), ~Rs 1.5 crore (Montreal Convention) |
| Official Visits | PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah |
Investigation
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the probe, adhering to International Civil Aviation Organization protocols (Annex 13).
One black box has been recovered, and efforts continue to locate the second. Boeing, the U.S., and the UK are assisting, with Boeing President Kelly Ortberg pledging full support.
The investigation examines a possible bird strike, mechanical failure, or environmental factors like high temperatures that affect takeoff performance.
Videos show the landing gear down, an anomaly noted by experts.
The aircraft’s low altitude suggests insufficient lift.
The mayday call indicates a sudden emergency, with no response to air traffic control’s subsequent calls.
The investigation may take months, but preliminary findings could address urgent safety concerns.
India is considering grounding Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet pending results, a move that could disrupt operations but prioritize safety.
Historical Context
The Air India Flight 171 crash is the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its 2011 debut, marking a significant blow to its safety record.
It’s Air India’s deadliest crash since the 1985 Flight 182 bombing and one of India’s worst aviation disasters, alongside the 1996 Charkhi Dadri collision (349 deaths) and the 2010 Mangalore crash (158 deaths).
The crash’s impact on a residential area, causing ground casualties, is rare and underscores the risks of airports near densely populated zones.
| Aviation Disasters | Details |
|---|---|
| Charkhi Dadri Collision (1996) | 349 fatalities, mid-air collision |
| Mangalore Crash (2010) | 158 fatalities, runway overrun |
| Air India Flight 171 (2025) | 241 on-board, 8+ ground fatalities |
Impact
The crash devastated BJ Medical College, where the hostel housed medical students and staff.
The loss of four students, training to become doctors, is a profound tragedy for India’s healthcare future.
The eight ground deaths, including relatives visiting the hostel, highlight the crash’s ripple effect.
Rescue teams with sniffer dogs continue searching the site.
Debris is scattered across Meghani Nagar, home to 8 million people.
Hospitals are treating approximately 40 injured, including 21 medical students.
Community resilience shines through blood donation drives and public appeals for support, amplified on X.
The psychological toll on survivors, families, and witnesses will require long-term counseling and community care.
Aviation Safety
Aviation remains one of the safest travel modes, with the last five years (2020–2024) being the safest since 2000, per global data.
However, this crash has raised questions about the safety of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Air India’s operational protocols.
The aircraft’s composite fuselage, while lightweight, faces scrutiny for its crash performance.
The incident follows a separate Air India flight’s emergency landing in Phuket on June 13 due to a bomb threat (later deemed a hoax), highlighting heightened aviation security concerns.
Ahmedabad airport has suspended all flight operations, and Air India canceled its next London Gatwick flight from Goa.
Given the airline’s reliance on these jets for international routes, the potential grounding of Air India’s 787 fleet could disrupt its network.
Singapore Airlines, with a 25.1% stake in Air India, saw its shares dip slightly amid the crisis.
Public Reactions
The tragedy has elicited widespread grief.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar expressed condolences, joining Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Kamal Haasan, who called the crash “a mountain of sadness.”
Anupam Kher’s emotional video emphasized the human toll, stating, “It’s not just news; it’s broken homes.”
Google CEO Sundar Pichai also shared his grief, thanking first responders.
Political leaders like Jairam Ramesh, Farooq Abdullah, and Akhilesh Yadav urged thorough investigations and support for victims.
Conclusion
The Air India Flight 171 crash is a heart-wrenching tragedy that claimed 241 lives on board, including Vijay Rupani, and at least eight on the ground, leaving Vishwash Kumar Ramesh as the sole survivor.
As investigations probe the cause, potentially a bird strike or mechanical failure, India mourns while demonstrating resilience through community support and robust response efforts.
Trivia
Did you know Vijay Rupani was a talented poet? He often shared his poetry at public events, blending his political career with a passion for literature, endearing him to many in Gujarat.
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