The Tragic Air India Crash: What Happened on June 12, 2025

On June 12, 2025, a heartbreaking disaster struck the city of Ahmedabad in western India. An Air India flight, numbered AI171, crashed just moments after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on its way to London Gatwick Airport. This devastating Indian air crash claimed the lives of 241 people on board, with only one survivor, and caused additional casualties on the ground when the plane smashed into a medical college hostel. At Phacts, we aim to bring you the full story of this tragedy, piecing together the events, the aftermath, and the questions that remain. Let’s dive into the details of this catastrophic event that has left the world in shock.

The Flight That Never Reached the Skies

Air India Flight AI171 was a routine international flight scheduled to connect Ahmedabad, a bustling city in Gujarat, to London’s Gatwick Airport. The plane took off at 1:38 p.m. local time, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. The flight was meant to last about nine hours, a journey many were taking to visit family, return home, or embark on new adventures.

The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was a modern, wide-body jet known for its advanced technology and strong safety record. It had been in service since 2014, delivered to Air India after its first flight in 2013. Piloted by Captain Sumit Sabharwal, who had 8,200 hours of flying experience, and co-pilot Clive Kunder, with 1,100 hours, the flight seemed to be in capable hands. Yet, something went terribly wrong just seconds after takeoff.

A Sudden Descent and a Fiery Crash

According to flight tracking data, the plane reached an altitude of only 625 feet before its signal was lost. Less than a minute after leaving the runway, the crew issued a “Mayday” distress call to air traffic control, signaling a severe emergency. Witnesses on the ground captured chilling footage of the plane struggling to stay in the air. Videos shared on social media showed the aircraft flying low over buildings, its nose pointed upward in an unusual position, as if it was fighting to climb but failing.

Moments later, the plane crashed into the Meghani Nagar area, a residential neighborhood just one mile from the airport. It slammed into a hostel for medical students at B.J. Medical College, a busy facility where dozens of students were eating lunch in the dining hall. The impact caused a massive explosion, with a fireball lighting up the sky and thick black smoke billowing from the wreckage. The plane’s tail was left sticking out of the building, a haunting image of the destruction.

The Sole Survivor’s Miraculous Escape

Amid the tragedy, one story stands out: the survival of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin. Seated in 11A, next to an emergency exit at the front of the economy section, Ramesh managed to escape the burning wreckage. He later told reporters that he heard a loud noise just 30 seconds after takeoff, followed by flickering green and white lights inside the plane. The aircraft then crashed, and Ramesh found himself surrounded by bodies and debris.

“I don’t know how I’m alive,” Ramesh said in a hospital interview, still clutching his boarding pass. He described running from the wreckage, dazed and injured, until someone helped him into an ambulance. Doctors at Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital reported that Ramesh was in stable condition, with bruises and minor injuries, but deeply shaken by the ordeal. His survival is nothing short of a miracle, and he was visited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who met with him at the hospital to offer support.

The Devastating Toll on the Ground

The Indian air crash didn’t just claim lives on the plane. When the Boeing 787 crashed into the medical college hostel, it struck a dining hall where 60 to 80 students were gathered. At least five medical students were killed, and nearly 50 others were injured, some critically. The plane’s 125,000 liters of fuel, meant for the long flight to London, fueled the massive fire that engulfed the crash site, making rescue efforts incredibly difficult.

By the evening of June 12, authorities reported that 269 bodies had been taken to Ahmedabad’s main hospital for identification. DNA testing was underway to confirm the exact death toll, as some remains were severely burned. The crash also claimed the life of Vijay Rupani, a former chief minister of Gujarat, who was among the passengers. The loss of such a prominent figure added to the grief felt across the state and nation.

A Nation and World in Mourning

The Indian air crash sent shockwaves around the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hails from Gujarat, called the tragedy “heartbreaking beyond words.” He visited the crash site on June 13, meeting with officials and rescue teams working tirelessly to recover bodies and assist survivors. Modi also expressed solidarity with the victims’ families, promising full government support.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the scenes as “devastating,” noting the significant number of British nationals on board. The UK activated a crisis team in New Delhi and London to support families and assist with the investigation. Leaders from Singapore, the United States, and even King Charles III and Queen Camilla sent condolences, reflecting the global impact of the disaster. The Tata Group, which owns Air India, pledged ₹1 crore (about $116,000) to the families of each victim and promised to cover medical expenses for the injured.

What Caused the Indian Air Crash?

The question on everyone’s mind is: what caused this catastrophic Indian air crash? Experts are still piecing together the puzzle, but early clues point to several possibilities. Videos of the crash show the plane’s landing gear still down, which is unusual for a plane that had just taken off. Normally, the landing gear is retracted to reduce drag and help the plane climb. This has led some to speculate about a mechanical issue, such as a failure in the landing gear system.

Aviation experts also noted the plane’s unusual nose-up position as it descended, suggesting it was struggling to gain altitude. Captain Saurabh Bhatnagar, a retired pilot, suggested that a loss of thrust in both engines could have caused the crash. However, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has a strong safety record, with no fatal crashes reported before this incident. The plane’s black boxes—one of which has been recovered—will be critical in uncovering the truth. These devices record flight data and cockpit conversations, providing investigators with vital information.

The Investigation Begins

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the probe, with support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), and Boeing. The investigation will look at multiple factors, including mechanical failure, human error, poor maintenance, or external factors like a bird strike. The process could take months or even years, as plane crashes are often the result of multiple failures rather than a single cause.

Boeing, the manufacturer of the 787 Dreamliner, expressed its condolences and pledged full support for the investigation. The company’s CEO, Kelly Ortberg, canceled plans to attend the Paris Air Show to focus on assisting Indian authorities. The Indian government is also considering grounding Air India’s entire Boeing 787 fleet until the cause of the crash is determined, a move that could disrupt the airline’s operations but prioritizes safety.

Air India’s Troubled History

This Indian air crash is the deadliest aviation disaster in India since 1996 and one of the worst globally in recent years. Air India has faced several high-profile crashes in its history, though fatal incidents have been rare in recent decades. In 2020, an Air India Express flight skidded off a runway in Kerala, killing 21 people. In 2010, another Air India Express plane overshot a runway in Mangalore, claiming 150 lives. These incidents led to improvements in India’s aviation safety protocols, but challenges remain in the world’s third-largest and fastest-growing aviation market.

The Tata Group, which took over Air India in 2021, has been working to modernize the airline and improve its safety record. The crash of Flight AI171 is a major setback, raising questions about maintenance practices and oversight. Families of the victims and the public are demanding answers, and the investigation’s findings will be closely watched.

The Human Stories Behind the Tragedy

Beyond the numbers, the Indian air crash is a story of human loss and resilience. Families gathered at Ahmedabad’s airport and London’s Gatwick Airport, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. One woman, Dabu Patni, was seen crying outside a hospital after learning her brother Akash was on the flight. Another relative, Poonam Patel, told reporters she received news of the crash just an hour after saying goodbye to her sister-in-law, who was traveling to London.

On the ground, medical students at B.J. Medical College faced unimaginable horror as the plane crashed into their hostel. Minakshi Parikh, the dean, reported that most students escaped, but 10 to 12 were trapped in the fire. The loss of young, aspiring doctors has added to the tragedy’s weight, with the medical community mourning their colleagues.

Rescue and Recovery Efforts

Emergency response teams acted swiftly after the crash. Firefighters, police, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed 90 personnel from Gandhinagar and additional teams from Vadodara. The Indian Army also sent 130 personnel, including doctors and paramedics, to assist with rescue and medical care. A “green corridor” was established to rush the injured to hospitals, and heavy machinery was used to clear debris while avoiding further structural damage.

Despite the chaos, the response was coordinated and determined. Ahmedabad’s airport suspended operations briefly but resumed limited flights by the evening of June 12, with strict safety protocols in place. The tireless work of first responders and medical staff has been a beacon of hope in the face of overwhelming loss.

The Global Impact of the Indian Air Crash

The Indian air crash has reverberated far beyond Ahmedabad. With 53 British nationals on board, the UK is grappling with the loss of its citizens, many of whom were part of Britain’s large Indian diaspora. The crash also claimed the lives of seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian, prompting condolences from leaders worldwide. In India, the state of Goa declared a day of mourning on June 13, canceling all government-sponsored events out of respect for the victims.

The aviation industry is also feeling the impact. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a cornerstone of modern air travel, had never been involved in a fatal crash until now. This incident has raised questions about the aircraft’s reliability, though experts caution against jumping to conclusions. The crash could lead to stricter regulations and inspections, not just in India but globally, as the industry works to prevent future tragedies.

What Happens Next?

As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on supporting the victims’ families and ensuring such a disaster never happens again. Air India has set up an emergency center and support teams to assist relatives seeking information. Relief flights from Delhi and Mumbai have been organized to bring families to Ahmedabad. The airline’s all-black social media profiles reflect the gravity of the loss.

For now, the world waits for answers. Was it a mechanical failure, a pilot error, or something else entirely? The black box, once fully analyzed, may hold the key. Until then, the Indian air crash serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of rigorous safety standards in aviation.

Join Phacts in Seeking the Truth

At Phacts, we’re committed to bringing you clear, factual, and engaging stories about the events that shape our world. The Indian air crash is a tragedy that demands our attention, and we’ll continue to follow the investigation closely to uncover the truth. We invite you to stay informed with us by visiting phactsblog.com for the latest updates. Share this article with others to raise awareness, and let us know your thoughts in the comments section. Together, we can honor the memory of those lost by seeking answers and advocating for safer skies. Subscribe to our newsletter for more stories that matter, and let’s keep the conversation going.

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