Tragedy in the Skies: The Ahmedabad Plane Crash That Shook a Nation

In one of the darkest days in India’s aviation history, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed just moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on the afternoon of June 12, 2025. The devastating crash claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew members, leaving just one known survivor. With its catastrophic scale and far-reaching impact, the incident has sent shockwaves across the country and beyond.

The Crash and Immediate Aftermath

According to early reports, the plane lost control moments after takeoff and crashed into a residential area adjoining the BJ Medical College campus in Ahmedabad. The aircraft’s tail section struck a medical students’ hostel, causing additional civilian casualties. Eyewitnesses described a fiery explosion followed by black smoke billowing over the city skyline.

Rescue teams from the NDRF and fire services were rushed to the site, initiating a massive search and recovery operation. By the evening, the Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed the completion of rescue operations. Over 265 bodies—many charred beyond recognition—were recovered and brought to Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital.

Victims Identified

Among the confirmed deceased were several notable individuals and heart-wrenching civilian stories:

• Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was aboard the ill-fated flight. His demise was confirmed by BJP’s state leadership.
• Four MBBS students and a doctor’s wife died in the hostel building the plane struck. The dean of BJ Medical College confirmed the deaths and injuries of several others. Two students remain missing.
• Two Air India cabin crew members from Manipur, Kongrabailatpam Nganthoi Sharma and Lamnunthem Singson, lost their lives. Former CM N. Biren Singh mourned their loss.
• Roshni Rajendra Songhare, a young travel influencer and cabin crew member, was also confirmed dead, as acknowledged by Maharashtra MLA Ravindra Chavan.

Despite the scale of the crash, one passenger miraculously survived, reportedly jumping from the aircraft before it was fully engulfed in flames. A video showing the survivor walking away in shock has been widely shared online, offering a sliver of hope in an otherwise grim scene.

Response from India and the World

Top Indian leadership responded swiftly:

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu held an emergency meeting alongside Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel.
• Condolences poured in from the Indian Armed Forces. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi issued statements expressing grief and support to the victims’ families.
• Former U.S. President Donald Trump described the crash as “one of the worst accidents in aviation history,” offering help and support to India.
• King Charles of the United Kingdom sent a heartfelt message of sympathy, honoring the victims and praising emergency services.
• Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also extended condolences, stating that the tragedy transcends borders.

Investigation Underway

Authorities confirmed the recovery of one of the aircraft’s black boxes, located in the rear section. The search for the second black box, positioned near the aircraft’s cockpit, is ongoing. The data from these devices will be crucial in determining the sequence of failures that led to the crash.

In a significant development, a team from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is being sent to India to support the investigation, given that the aircraft was an American-made Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Notably, this marks the first fatal crash involving the Dreamliner model, which had previously experienced only minor incidents.

Flight Operations Disrupted

As a direct result of the crash, all inbound flights to Ahmedabad from Delhi and Mumbai were cancelled. Several outbound flights from Ahmedabad were also grounded, causing massive disruption and rerouting of passengers.

Unanswered Questions and National Mourning

The sheer scale of the disaster has raised pressing questions about aviation safety, aircraft maintenance, and flight control systems. Was there a mechanical failure? Was pilot error involved? Or did the aircraft suffer a bird strike or similar external issue moments after takeoff? These questions remain unanswered pending a full investigation.

As families mourn, and a nation grieves, this incident is a solemn reminder of the fragility of life—and the responsibility of institutions to safeguard it.

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In Memoriam
This tragedy is not just a headline—it is a tapestry of shattered families, broken dreams, and immense sorrow. The nation stands united in grief, and the world watches as India copes with one of its most significant aviation tragedies in modern history.