- • Disaster in the Skies: Dreamliner Falls Minutes After Takeoff
- Tragedy Strikes as Air India London Flight Crashes, Leaving India Mourning
- Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani was on the flight
- 11A passenger miraculously survives
By Sangeeta Saxena
New Delhi. 12 June 2025. What began as a routine international flight from Ahmedabad to London turned into a national tragedy today. An Air India flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after takeoff . The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was carrying 242 passengers and crew, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The crash occurred near Meghani Nagar, impacting a residential area. The plane crashed into Ahmedabad’s BJ Medical College Hostel. Casualties on the ground are expected to increase the numbers of life lost apart from the passengers of the ill-fated plane.
In the aftermath of the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash, columns from the Indian Army’s Golden Katar Division have been deployed to support civil authorities in ongoing humanitarian and disaster relief operations. Army engineering teams are assisting with debris clearance, while specialised firefighting and medical units are providing critical on-ground support. The swift mobilisation underscores the Army’s commitment to aiding rescue efforts and delivering urgent care in the face of one of the nation’s worst aviation disasters. This disaster marks one of the worst air tragedies in India’s aviation history since the Mangalore crash in 2010. For now, the nation waits for answers—united in mourning and hope that the cause of this tragic event will soon be uncovered.
In a tweet Air India stated, “Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off. The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals. The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information. Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident. Air India will release further information via regular updates on its X handle (https://x.com/airindia) and on http://airindia.com.” Campbell Wilson, MD & CEO, Air India, took to the Twitter now X to convey the news in a video message post announcing the tragedy on the platform.
Both the Minister of Civil Aviation K Ram Mohan Naidu and MoS(Civil) Murlidhar Mohol rushed to Ahmedabad. MoCA tweeted , “ In light of the AI171 crash, an Operational Control Room has been activated at the Ministry of Civil Aviation to coordinate all details. Contact: 011-24610843 | 9650391859. We are committed to swift response and full support to all affected.”
A formal statement was issued by Chairman Tata Trusts Noel Tata. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident involving Air India Flight 171 on its journey from Ahmedabad to London. This heart-wrenching incident has brought immense grief to countless families, and our thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones today. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and stand in solidarity with them during this unimaginable time. We offer our prayers and support as they navigate this profound loss,” it stated.
“We are deeply anguished by the tragic event involving Air India Flight 171. No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and with those who have been injured. Tata Group will provide ₹1 crore to the families of each person who has lost their life in this tragedy. We will also cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that they receive all necessary care and support. Additionally, we will provide support in the building up of the B J Medical’s hostel. We remain steadfast in standing with the affected families and communities during this unimaginable time, “ tweeted N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons.
Boeing [NYSE: BA] issued the following statement: “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.” After the Air India Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, Boeing’s stock fell more than 8% in pre-market trading. This made investors even more worried about the company’s safety record and regulatory problems. The aircraft involved in the crash had been in service since 2014, based on aviation tracking data. Prior to this incident, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner—introduced in 2011—maintained an exceptional safety record, with no reported fatalities throughout its commercial operations. The crash marks a tragic turning point for a model that had, until now, been regarded as one of the safest in modern aviation history. This is the first air disaster involving the Dreamliner 787s. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been in commercial service globally for 15 years. There are 1,100 of the planes in operation around the world. It has a very good safety record, and there had never been a fatal crash involving a 787 Dreamliner before today.
The Air India plane crash at the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday will be looked into by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The US Aviation Department has also offered to help India with the rescue and the investigation to find out what happened. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States announced in a statement that it is in touch with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) about the crash of an Air India airliner. The National Transportation Safety Board said on Thursday that it would send a team of U.S. investigators to India to help with the crash probe.
