On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 bound for London, crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing approximately 294 people. The deadliest aviation disaster in India’s history and the worst globally in a decade, it left one miraculous survivor amid unimaginable devastation.
The Crash
The flight, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew, departed at 1:38 p.m. local time. Less than a minute later, a mayday call signalled trouble. The plane, unable to climb beyond 625 feet, crashed into a residential area in Meghani Nagar, striking a medical college hostel. A massive explosion followed, with flames and debris engulfing the site. Video footage showed the jet descending nose-up, landing gear extended, suggesting a mechanical failure or loss of airspeed.
Victims and Survivor
The crash claimed 242 lives on board, including 169 Indians, 53 Britons, and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, plus 52 on the ground, among them five medical students. Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British-Indian seated near an emergency exit, survived with severe injuries, escaping a fire that charred most victims beyond recognition.
Response and Investigation
Emergency teams, including fire services, police, and the Indian Army, battled the blaze and aided survivors. Air India suspended flights, offered ₹1 crore per victim’s family, and set up hotlines. The DGCA, with Boeing and US investigators, is probing the cause, focusing on the recovered black box. Global leaders, including India’s PM Narendra Modi and UK’s King Charles, expressed grief.
Impact
The tragedy has shaken Ahmedabad and British-Indian communities, with vigils planned in Leicester and beyond. Air India and Boeing face scrutiny as the crash marks the first fatal Boeing 787 incident. As investigations continue, the nation mourns, seeking answers to prevent such heartbreak again.
From Buy or hire, we pray for all the families of the deceased.
See below what we have in stock!!