Tragedy struck on Thursday afternoon in Ahmedabad when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI171 and bound for London Gatwick, crashed just minutes after takeoff with 242 people on board. The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, departed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:10 PM local time, but within moments of leaving the runway the pilot issued a Mayday distress call to Air Traffic Control, signaling a serious emergency situation.
Shortly afterward, the plane went down near the Ghoda Camp area close to the airport perimeter, a crash that eyewitnesses described as a horrifying scene of explosions followed by heavy smoke rising into the sky. Rescue personnel rushed to the site between Meghaninagar and Ahmedabad Cantonment, working under extremely difficult conditions as they tried to battle flames and reach the wreckage in hopes of finding survivors. According to preliminary reports from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the aircraft came down in a residential zone, raising fears of additional casualties on the ground beyond those aboard the flight. Eyewitnesses recounted hearing a series of loud blasts before seeing the aircraft engulfed in smoke and fire, painting a devastating picture of the final moments of flight AI171.
Air India quickly confirmed the incident through an official statement: “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad–London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest.” Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran expressed profound sorrow over the crash, saying, “With deep grief, I confirm that Air India flight AI171 was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected. Our focus now is on supporting the people impacted and assisting emergency teams at the site.”
The statement highlighted the airline’s immediate priority of providing aid and coordination as recovery efforts continued. Thick plumes of smoke rising from the wreckage were visible for miles, and rescue operations faced intense heat, scattered debris, and fears of structural collapse in nearby areas impacted by the crash. Hospitals across Ahmedabad were placed on high alert, with emergency wards prepared to receive injured passengers, though as hours passed, the grim reality set in that all 242 on board may have lost their lives. Families of passengers gathered in anguish at both Ahmedabad and London Gatwick airports, waiting desperately for information.
Air India set up emergency hotlines to provide updates and assistance to relatives of those on board. For many, the lack of immediate clarity about the condition of their loved ones only deepened the heartbreak. The DGCA launched an investigation into the causes of the accident, with officials stressing that retrieving the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder would be essential to uncovering what led to the sudden distress call and subsequent crash. Aviation experts noted that the Mayday signal suggested the pilots were aware of a critical malfunction or emergency, though whether it was mechanical failure, weather-related issues, or another factor remains unclear.
Boeing representatives are also expected to collaborate with Indian authorities in determining whether there were any issues specific to the Dreamliner aircraft model. This incident has reignited concerns about aviation safety and preparedness, especially in light of the fact that the Dreamliner is considered one of the most advanced aircraft in Air India’s fleet. International aviation bodies have also signaled their intent to monitor the investigation closely, given the global reliance on Boeing 787s for long-haul flights.
Political leaders expressed their condolences, with the tragedy drawing statements of support from around the world. Vigils were planned both in India and abroad, as communities came to terms with the enormous loss of life. Though investigations will continue for months, the immediate reality is devastating: 242 people, including passengers and crew, are feared dead in what has become one of the worst aviation disasters in India’s recent history. The event has left a deep wound in the hearts of families, friends, and communities tied to those on board, reminding the world of the fragility of life and the risks that remain, even in modern aviation. As rescue teams continue their grim work at the crash site, and as investigators begin the painstaking task of piecing together what happened, the thoughts of the nation and the international community are firmly with the victims and their loved ones, mourning a tragedy that will not soon be forgotten.
