A Catastrophic Day in Ahmedabad
On the afternoon of June 12, 2025, the bustling city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, was struck by a devastating tragedy. Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed just minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. IST. The aircraft, carrying 242 souls—230 passengers, including two infants, and 12 crew members—plunged into the densely populated Meghani Nagar area, leaving a trail of destruction, smoke, and heartbreak. This incident marks one of the most significant aviation disasters in India in nearly three decades and the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The Fateful Flight
Flight AI171 was a routine international service connecting Ahmedabad to London, a route popular among business travelers, students, and families. The aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, was under the command of Captain Sumit Sabharwal, a seasoned pilot with over 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had 1,100 hours. The passenger manifest reflected a diverse group: 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, one Canadian, and others, including 217 adults, 11 children, and two infants. Among the passengers was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, traveling in business class.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the plane departed from Runway 23 at 1:39 p.m. IST. Barely five minutes into the flight, at an altitude of just 625 feet—well below the safe climb phase—the pilots issued a mayday call to air traffic control (ATC). Seconds later, communication was lost, and the aircraft plummeted into a residential area near the airport’s perimeter. Eyewitnesses reported a deafening explosion followed by thick black plumes of smoke rising from the crash site, visible for kilometers.
Chaos on the Ground
The crash site, located in Meghani Nagar near the IGB Compound and Ghoda Camp, is a vibrant residential and commercial hub. The aircraft reportedly collided with a building, believed to be a doctors’ hostel, intensifying the devastation. Debris scattered across the area, and flames engulfed parts of the wreckage, complicating immediate rescue efforts. The plane, heavily fueled for its long-haul journey, likely contributed to the ferocity of the fire, as noted by aviation experts.
Local residents, despite the danger, were among the first to respond, rushing to aid victims before emergency services arrived. Within minutes, fire brigades, ambulances, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams descended on the scene. Authorities established a green corridor to transport the injured to nearby hospitals, with at least two dozen ambulances ferrying victims. The exact number of casualties remains unclear, but officials have warned of a potentially high toll given the crash’s location and severity.
Immediate Response from Authorities
The incident prompted a swift and coordinated response from both state and central governments. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who was in Surat at the time, rushed to Ahmedabad to oversee rescue operations. He directed officials to prioritize medical facilities and ensure seamless transport for the injured. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in close contact with Patel, the state home minister, and Ahmedabad’s police commissioner, assured full central government support. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, equally shaken, traveled to the crash site to monitor relief efforts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally took stock of the situation, speaking with Naidu and Shah to ensure all necessary resources were mobilized. In a statement, Modi expressed his condolences and urged agencies to act swiftly. The DGCA and aviation investigators are already on-site, probing the cause of the crash, with assistance from Boeing and international aviation bodies expected.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has been temporarily closed, with all flight operations suspended until further notice. Air India established a dedicated hotline (1800 5691 444) to assist families seeking information about passengers.
Global Condolences and Support
The crash’s international dimension—given the presence of British, Portuguese, and Canadian passengers—drew global attention. The UK government, through Commons Leader Lucy Powell, pledged “all the support that it can” to those affected, with British consular services activated for the 53 British nationals onboard. London Gatwick Airport, where Flight AI171 was due to land at 6:25 p.m. local time, issued a statement acknowledging the tragedy.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov were among those expressing solidarity. Social media platforms, particularly X, were flooded with messages of shock and prayers for the victims, with hashtags like #AhmedabadPlaneCrash trending as netizens shared videos of the crash site showing billowing smoke and scattered debris.
A Dark Chapter in Aviation History
The crash of Flight AI171 is a grim milestone, marking the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, an aircraft lauded for its advanced technology and safety record. India’s last major aviation disaster was in 2020, when an Air India Express flight overshot the runway at Kozhikode, killing 21 people. The Ahmedabad crash, occurring in a densely populated urban area, raises urgent questions about airport proximity to residential zones and the safety protocols for long-haul flights.
Preliminary investigations suggest mechanical failure, human error, or external factors like bird strikes could be involved, but no conclusions have been drawn. The aircraft’s black boxes—cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder—are critical to unraveling the sequence of events. The DGCA has confirmed that the plane was in compliance with maintenance schedules, and both pilots were well-rested and qualified.
The Road Ahead
As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on saving lives and supporting affected families. The crash site, now cordoned off, is a scene of both urgency and sorrow, with first responders working tirelessly amidst the wreckage. For the people of Ahmedabad, the scars of this tragedy will linger, as will the memories of a community that came together in the face of unimaginable loss.
The investigation into Flight AI171’s crash will likely take months, with global scrutiny on its findings. For now, the nation mourns, and the world watches, united in hope that such a tragedy never recurs. The skies above Ahmedabad, once a gateway to dreams and destinations, are now a somber reminder of the fragility of flight.