Date: June 12, 2025
Flight: Air India AI171, operated by a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner (VT‑ANB)
Route: Ahmedabad (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport) → London Gatwick
Time of crash: Approximately 1:38 PM IST (08:08 UTC)
Overview
Shortly after issuing a Mayday call, Flight AI171 plunged into a residential area and collided with the dining block of the B.J. Medical College doctors’ hostel in Meghani Nagar, near Ahmedabad Airport
The aircraft was carrying 242 people: 230 passengers—including 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian—and 12 crew members
Casualties & Survivors
Confirmed fatalities: Estimates range from 204 to over 240 onboard, plus at least 49 ground victims, including medical students
Survivor: A single individual, a 38-year-old male, miraculously survived and is receiving treatment; he was seated in row 11A
Rescue teams have recovered over 200 bodies, and emergency services had cleared around 70–80% of the wreckage by evening
Response & Ongoing Actions
Emergency response: Indian Army, NDRF, police, firefighters, and medical teams rushed to the site; hospitals in Ahmedabad treated dozens of survivors and injured locals.
Government reaction: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed deep sorrow. King Charles III also conveyed condolences
Air India & Boeing: Air India’s emergency support teams are assisting families. Boeing is cooperating with investigators; its stock fell sharply after the crash
Summary
This devastating accident—the first fatal crash involving the 787 Dreamliner—has claimed hundreds of lives both on board and on the ground. Rescue and recovery are actively ongoing, and the sole survivor is currently hospitalized. Investigations are proceeding under the DGCA, with international support.
