Ahmedabad, India – June 12, 2025:
A devastating tragedy struck India today as Air India Flight AI171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed just seconds after takeoff, killing more than 290 people, including passengers, crew members, and individuals on the ground.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner went down in the densely populated Meghani Nagar area, striking a building that housed medical students. Eyewitnesses described a loud explosion followed by smoke billowing from the crash site. Emergency response teams rushed to the scene within minutes, but the scale of destruction was overwhelming.
Among the 242 people aboard the aircraft, only one survivor has been confirmed — Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British-Indian national seated near the front of the plane. He was pulled from the wreckage and is currently recovering in hospital.
Local authorities, alongside India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), have launched a full investigation. Early indications suggest a technical failure during ascent, though officials have not yet ruled out other causes. The black box recorders have been recovered and will be analyzed in coordination with international aviation experts, including the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy,” said Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who visited the scene with emergency officials. “Our thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones in this horrific event. We are committed to providing every support possible.”
Air India and its parent company, Tata Sons, expressed deep sorrow and have pledged full cooperation with the investigation. The airline has also announced financial compensation for the victims’ families.
In a video statement, Vancouver-born FIFA executive and former player Karina LeBlanc, who lost a family member in the crash, called for global solidarity: “We are one world, united in grief. This tragedy reminds us of the fragility of life and the strength of human compassion.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences and confirmed that all necessary resources are being deployed. International leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, also shared messages of sympathy.
Flags are flying at half-mast across India, and a national day of mourning is being considered.
This is one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history and the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 since its introduction in 2011. Further updates are expected as the investigation continues.
