In a heartbreaking aviation disaster, Air India Flight AI 171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed just minutes after take-off on 12th June 2025. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into Meghani Nagar, a densely populated residential area in Ahmedabad, causing a massive fire and explosion.
The flight was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Sadly, more than 200 people are feared dead, making this one of the worst air accidents in India in recent years. The passengers included 169 Indian citizens, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian national. There are also reports of possible casualties on the ground due to the crash location.
Initial reports suggest the aircraft faced technical failure shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The pilots issued a distress call before losing radar contact at around 625 feet altitude. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with 8,200 flying hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, with 1,100 flying hours, were operating the flight.
Rescue teams, including fire brigades, ambulances, and NDRF teams, rushed to the scene. Hospitals in Ahmedabad were put on high alert. Union ministers Amit Shah and Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, along with Gujarat officials, are overseeing the rescue operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with global leaders like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles, have expressed condolences.
Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran confirmed the incident and assured full support to the affected families. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have started investigations, while Boeing is also assisting. This marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its commercial launch in 2011.
As rescue efforts continue, Air India has activated emergency helplines and support centres for the victims’ families. The entire nation now waits for the investigation report to reveal the exact cause behind this tragic accident.
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