A catastrophic plane crash occurred near Ahmedabad‘s airport on June 12, 2025, involving an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner with at least 242 people on board. The flight, AI171, was headed to London Gatwick Airport when it crashed in a densely populated residential area shortly after takeoff, resulting in a significant loss of life.
According to reports, the plane’s final signal was received seconds after takeoff at 1:38 pm local time, and it had reached an altitude of 625 feet before crashing. “The plane issued a mayday alert to air traffic control before all communications from the aircraft ceased,” as per flight tracking website Flightradar24.
The impact of the crash was severe, with footage showing debris on fire and huge plumes of smoke rising into the sky. Local authorities confirmed that at least 204 bodies had been recovered, and rescue workers retrieved between 30 and 35 bodies from a building hit by the aircraft. “The building on which it has crashed is a doctors’ hostel… We have cleared almost 70 percent to 80 percent of the area and will clear the rest soon,” a senior police officer stated.
The Ahmedabad Police Commissioner, GS Malik, reported that there was one survivor, found in seat 11A, who is currently undergoing treatment in a hospital. “One survivor has been found in the hospital and is under treatment. Cannot say anything about the number of deaths yet. The death toll may increase as the flight crashed in a residential area,” Malik added.
The nationalities of those on board were: 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 1 Canadian national, and 7 Portuguese nationals. Air India described the incident as “a tragic accident”. The country’s health minister, Jagat Prakash Nadda, wrote in a post on X that “many people” had died in the crash.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating, “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.”
The authorities have deployed at least 90 emergency response workers to the site, and India’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, said he was “shocked and devastated” by the plane crash. “I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action,” he added.
The incident raises serious questions about what could have gone wrong with this flight and why the aircraft was “struggling to gain altitude” after takeoff. Independent aviation analyst Alex Macheras noted that the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has a good track record for safety, but “this is probably going to be one of the worst aviation incidents for Indian aviation history in recent decades.”
Boeing released a statement saying, “We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders, and all affected.”
The incident is a significant blow to the aviation industry, which has seen several serious incidents this year. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, and authorities are working to provide support to the affected families.
Air India has experienced fatal crashes in the past, including Flight 101 in 1966, Flight 855 in 1978, Flight 182 in 1985, and Flight 403 in 1982. However, the airline’s safety record is comparable to international carriers like Turkish Airlines and American Airlines.
Boeing, on the other hand, has faced scrutiny over its safety record since two fatal crashes involving the Boeing 737 Max in the past. The incidents led to the grounding of the 737 Max jets for almost two years. Boeing has since implemented changes to the software and manufacturing process to improve safety.
The Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad is a devastating incident that highlights the importance of aviation safety. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, and authorities are working to provide support to the affected families. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with air travel and the need for continuous improvement in safety measures.