Air India Flight AI171 Crash: 241 Dead, One Survivor in First Fatal Boeing 787 Disaster

Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 — Tragedy struck today as Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick, crashed just seconds after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. Of the 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members, 241 were confirmed dead. Miraculously, there was one survivor—a British national, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated near an emergency exit, who was rescued with minor injuries.

Crash Location and Impact

The aircraft went down near Meghani Nagar, a densely populated residential and college area. Eyewitnesses described a massive explosion, thick smoke, and flames engulfing buildings moments after the aircraft crashed. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, recovering over 200 bodies within hours. The area included a medical college hostel, raising fears of additional casualties on the ground, although no official count has been released yet.

First Fatal Boeing 787 Dreamliner Crash in History

This incident is now recognized as the first-ever fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft’s commercial debut in 2011. Although the Dreamliner faced global safety scrutiny in 2013 due to lithium-ion battery fires, which led to a temporary worldwide grounding, no fatalities had occurred prior to this crash.

The Air India AI171 disaster is now not only the deadliest Boeing 787 crash to date but also one of the most severe aviation tragedies in India in over a decade.

National and International Response

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the event “heartbreaking beyond words,” offering condolences to the victims’ families. Home Minister Amit Shah and the Gujarat state government are coordinating local response efforts. India’s Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu has confirmed that a formal investigation is underway.

International aviation authorities have joined the investigation, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the U.K. Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Representatives from Boeing are also assisting in the inquiry.

Passenger Manifest and High-Profile Victims

Among the deceased are believed to be foreign nationals and Indian citizens, although identities are still being confirmed. Reports suggest that former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani may have been among the passengers, but this remains unverified at the time of writing.

Condolences and Mourning

This tragedy has cast a pall over India and the global Indian diaspora. Families across several Indian states and countries are grieving. Air India, now under Tata Group ownership, has issued a statement pledging full support to victims’ families, including immediate financial assistance, grief counseling, and flight arrangements for kin.

May the light of God be with all the victims of Flight AI171. Om Shanti 🕊️