June 12, 2025. A devastating aviation tragedy struck today when an Air India flight bound for London-Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing most—if not all—of the 242 people on board. Authorities have reported that “there appear to be no survivors.”
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating as flight AI 171, went down in a densely populated residential area between a public hospital and office buildings in the Ghoda Camp neighborhood. The crash occurred at 1:39 p.m. local time (2:09 a.m. Mexico City time), just minutes after departure.
According to police chief G.S. Malik, at least 204 bodies have been recovered, and 41 injured people—some of them residents of nearby buildings—are receiving medical attention. The total death toll includes both those on board and people on the ground.
Air India confirmed that the flight was carrying 230 passengers, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian, along with 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew. The plane reportedly issued a distress signal before vanishing from radar.
This marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft model entered service. Boeing has stated it is in contact with Air India and ready to support the investigation.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of devastation. “There were bodies scattered everywhere, and firefighters were trying to extinguish the flames,” said local resident Poonam Patni. At least three buildings were severely damaged by the impact.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the crash a “heart-wrenching” tragedy, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, King Charles III, and Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro offered condolences and solidarity with the victims’ families.
Air India has set up an emergency response center and a support team to provide information and assistance to families of the victims.
India has a history of major aviation disasters. In 2010, an Air India Express flight crashed in Mangalore, killing 158 people. One of the deadliest air disasters in Indian history occurred in 1996, when two planes collided mid-air over New Delhi, resulting in nearly 350 deaths.
A full investigation has been launched by India’s Civil Aviation Authority, with assistance expected from Boeing and international aviation safety experts.
