The crash of Air India Flight AI171 on June 12, 2025, has been declared one of India’s deadliest aviation tragedies in decades, leaving 241 passengers and crew dead, along with at least 38 fatalities on the ground. The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner went down just moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, slamming into the densely populated Meghani Nagar area and striking the hostel block of B.J. Medical College, triggering a massive blaze.
The aircraft was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members when it lost altitude rapidly after issuing a Mayday call. Flight data indicates the distress signal was lost when the aircraft was at just 625 feet.
Rescue operations have been grim, with teams working tirelessly to recover and identify the victims. Many bodies were severely burned or disfigured, necessitating the use of DNA testing to return remains to grieving families. More than 270 bodies have been recovered so far. Among the deceased were young medical students, residents of the hostel, and several prominent individuals, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. In a rare miracle, one passenger survived the crash and is currently recovering in hospital.
In the aftermath, the central government has formed a high-level multidisciplinary committee headed by the Union Home Secretary to review the disaster and propose new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for aviation safety. While the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) continues its technical probe, the committee is tasked with examining broader policy gaps and recommending systemic reforms to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu stated that the AAIB will explore all potential causes of the crash. He also confirmed that immediate inspections of Air India’s entire Boeing 787 fleet have been conducted, with no issues reported so far.
The crash has triggered national mourning, visits by senior leaders, and a renewed call for solidarity and urgent improvements to India’s aviation safety framework.