A devastating air crash shook Ahmedabad, western India, on the afternoon of June 12, 2025, when Air India flight AI171, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, plummeted minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Bound for Gatwick Airport in London, the aircraft carried 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members, from India, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Portugal. The crash occurred in the residential area of Meghani Nagar, striking a doctors’ hostel at BJ Medical College, resulting in a tragedy with over 100 confirmed deaths, including ground victims. The crash, the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787, triggered an approximate 8% drop in Boeing’s shares in the U.S. pre-market, raising concerns about the model’s safety and its global market implications.
The flight, commanded by experienced pilot Sumit Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kunder, issued a “mayday” emergency signal seconds before losing contact with the control tower, as reported by Flightradar24. Shocking footage shows the aircraft’s tail embedded in a building, with thick black smoke rising from the site. The tragedy, which destroyed part of the hostel where doctors were dining, killed at least five medical students and injured others. Rescue teams, including firefighters and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) units, were swiftly deployed, but local authorities indicated no signs of survivors among the aircraft’s occupants.
Among the passengers was Vijay Rupani, former chief minister of Gujarat, whose presence was confirmed by leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The news of Rupani’s loss amplified the political impact of the tragedy, while world leaders, such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressed condolences. Key points known so far:
- Flight AI171 took off at 1:38 p.m. local time and crashed five minutes later.
- The aircraft, an 11-year-old Boeing 787-8, reached a maximum altitude of 625 feet before rapidly descending.
- The crash occurred in a residential area, amplifying ground damage.
- Over 100 bodies have been recovered, but the exact number of victims is still being determined.
Crash details and immediate response
The fall of flight AI171 stunned the international community due to its severity and unclear circumstances. According to India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Boeing 787-8, registered as VT-ANB, was fully fueled for the long journey to London, contributing to the intensity of the post-impact fire. Verified videos from major news agencies show the plane flying low, struggling to gain altitude, before crashing in a fireball. The crew’s final communication was an emergency call indicating critical issues onboard, but with no time for further details.
Emergency teams, including over 70 fire trucks, worked tirelessly to extinguish flames and rescue potential survivors. The operation involved six NDRF teams, with 90 members deployed from Gandhinagar and others from Vadodara. Ambulances rushed the injured to Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital, where chaotic scenes unfolded as families sought information about passengers. The Indian government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance, prioritized victim assistance, creating green corridors for rapid transport of the injured and an emergency center to support families.
Passenger profile and human toll
Flight AI171 carried a diverse group of passengers, reflecting the global connection between India and the UK. Air India reported that 169 were Indian citizens, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. The presence of 11 children among the passengers added a layer of tragedy. Vijay Rupani, a prominent political figure in Gujarat, was among the passengers, and his death was mourned by BJP leaders, who highlighted his tenure as the state’s chief minister from 2016 to 2021.
On the ground, the impact was equally devastating. The plane struck a doctors’ hostel at BJ Medical College, where about 80 students were in the dining hall at the time. Five students died, and at least 10 were trapped in the debris, according to Dean Minakshi Parikh. A local doctor, Ramila, reported that her son survived by jumping from a second-floor window but sustained injuries. Such stories underscore the trauma experienced by those who narrowly escaped.
International reactions and family support
The tragedy mobilized global leaders, who expressed solidarity with the victims. Narendra Modi described the crash as “heartbreaking, indescribable,” noting that authorities were working to assist those affected. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the images from the site “devastating” and confirmed that the UK government opened a hotline (+44 20 7008 5000) to assist British citizens and their families. Buckingham Palace reported that King Charles III was being updated on the situation.
Air India, now under Tata Group control since 2022, activated an emergency center and released a helpline number (1800 5691 444) for information. The company’s chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, stated that supporting victims’ families and cooperating with investigations were priorities. The Indian government, in coordination with Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, sent senior teams to Ahmedabad to oversee rescue and investigation efforts.
First fatal Boeing 787 crash
The crash marked a grim milestone in aviation history, being the first fatal disaster involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model in operation since 2011. Introduced as a next-generation aircraft, the 787 is known for its carbon-fiber structure and efficiency in long-haul flights. Until now, the model had no recorded hull losses or fatal accidents, according to the Aviation Safety Network database. Boeing, in a statement, said it was “aware of initial reports” and working to gather more information but provided no details on potential causes.
Flightradar24 data shows the aircraft, delivered to Air India in 2014, reached a maximum altitude of 625 feet before a steep descent at a vertical speed of -475 feet per minute. Experts note that the failure to retract the landing gear, observed in videos, may indicate mechanical or operational issues, but the exact cause remains under investigation. India’s DGCA and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are leading the probe, with support from a Boeing technical team.
Boeing stock plunge
The crash news reverberated in financial markets, with Boeing’s shares dropping about 8% in the U.S. pre-market on June 12. The decline reflects market sensitivity to incidents involving the manufacturer, which faced safety crises in recent years, such as the Boeing 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019. The timing is critical, ahead of the Paris Air Show, where Boeing planned to announce new aircraft orders. The loss of investor confidence may complicate the company’s efforts to rebuild its reputation.
Financial analysts noted that the economic impact could extend beyond Boeing. Air India, which operates a significant Boeing fleet, faces logistical and reputational challenges, especially after its recent merger with Vistara in 2024. The temporary suspension of operations at Ahmedabad Airport, managed by the Adani Group, also disrupted regional flights, with airlines like IndiGo rerouting services.
Rescue efforts and site challenges
Rescue operations faced difficulties due to the density of the affected area and the fire’s intensity. Firefighters, supported by over two dozen ambulances, worked to contain flames and access debris. A police official reported that 70% to 80% of the hostel area was cleared, but wreckage and dense smoke hindered progress. The presence of ground victims, including residents and doctors, increased the response’s complexity, with authorities prioritizing body identification.
Ahmedabad police, led by Commissioner G.S. Malik, stated that the exact number of victims is still being determined, but the lack of survivor signs in the aircraft indicates the crash’s severity. Local witnesses reported multiple explosions after the crash, likely due to the aircraft’s fuel, which intensified damage in the residential area.
India’s aviation safety record
While air crashes are rare in India, which maintains stringent aviation standards after historical incidents in the 1970s and 1980s, the country has faced significant tragedies. The last fatal crash occurred in 2020, when an Air India Express flight overshot the runway in Kozhikode, killing 21 people. The AI171 crash is Air India’s first major loss since the 1985 flight 182 bombing, reigniting debates about air safety and aircraft maintenance.
India, with a growing fleet of modern aircraft, has invested in technologies and training to minimize risks. However, the crash raises questions about the Boeing 787-8’s maintenance, which, despite its impeccable record, now faces scrutiny. The investigation, which may take months, will examine factors like mechanical failures, human error, and external conditions, such as weather, which was reportedly stable at the time.
Support measures and investigations
The Indian government mobilized significant resources to address the tragedy. Home Minister Amit Shah coordinated with Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel, to ensure victim assistance. Ahmedabad Airport resumed operations at 4:05 p.m. local time after a temporary suspension, with enhanced safety protocols. Indian Railways provided Vande Bharat trains to support passengers affected by flight cancellations.
Air India, in collaboration with Indian and British authorities, is providing ongoing family support. The airline promised regular updates via its website and social media as the investigation progresses. The presence of British citizens on the flight prompted the UK Foreign Office to establish crisis teams in London and Delhi, reinforcing consular support.
Event timeline
To clarify the sequence of events, key moments of the crash include:
- 1:38 p.m.: Flight AI171 takes off from Ahmedabad Airport.
- 1:43 p.m.: The aircraft issues a “mayday” signal and loses contact with the tower.
- 1:43 p.m.: The plane crashes in Meghani Nagar, hitting a doctors’ hostel.
- 1:50 p.m.: Emergency teams arrive at the site, starting rescue operations.
- 2:11 p.m.: Air India confirms the crash and activates a family support center.
Next steps in the investigation
The crash investigation will be led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, with support from Boeing and the DGCA. Experts will analyze black box data, including the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, to reconstruct the flight’s final moments. The probe will also review the aircraft’s maintenance history and Air India’s operational procedures.
As authorities work to uncover the causes, the tragedy continues to resonate, with families awaiting news of loved ones and the global community monitoring developments. The loss of lives and ground damage leave a legacy of grief in Ahmedabad, while the aviation sector faces new questions about safety and accountability.nfrenta novas perguntas sobre segurança e responsabilidade.stigation Bureau, will include support from U.S. and U.K. teams due to the presence of British passengers.
