Catastrophic Air India Crash in Ahmedabad: 317 Dead, One Miraculous Survivor

A London-bound Air India flight (AI171), a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, met a catastrophic end yesterday, Thursday, June 12, 2025, crashing near Meghaninagar in Ahmedabad just minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The disaster has resulted in a staggering death toll of approximately 317 people, with one person miraculously surviving.

According to Ahmedabad police, all 242 individuals on board the aircraft, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members, have been confirmed dead. In a tragic extension of the disaster, another 75 bodies were recovered from the Atulyam Flats, the Civil Hospital staff quarters in Meghaninagar, upon which the plane crashed. Initial estimates indicate around 200 residents were staying in the 94 flats at the time of the impact.

Flight and Passenger Details

The ill-fated flight was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned pilot with extensive experience of 8,200 flying hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours. Actor Vikrant Massey has confirmed that Clive Kundar was his cousin, expressing deep sorrow at his loss.

The passenger manifest reveals the international nature of the flight's casualties:

169 Indian nationals

53 British nationals

7 Portuguese nationals

1 Canadian national

Among the passengers, 104 were identified as males and 112 as females. Tragically, 14 children, including two infants, were also among the 230 passengers. Former Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani, was also on the passenger list and confirmed to have perished.

The Moment of Impact and Aftermath

The aircraft departed at 13:39 IST and reached an altitude of approximately 825 feet before issuing a "MAYDAY" distress call and losing contact. A chilling video verified by the BBC shows the plane descending before a large explosion upon hitting the ground. The crash site near Forensic Cross Road was engulfed in heavy black smoke and extensive wreckage.

The impact also devastated the residential quarters of the BJ Medical College. Four MBBS students and a doctor's wife were confirmed among the dead from the college. Additionally, two other MBBS students and three relatives of doctors are reported missing, and 19 students were injured, five seriously.

Rescue operations at the crash site have been completed. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited the site, stated that the intense heat from the 1.25 lakh litres of burning fuel on board left no chance for anyone to survive the inferno on the aircraft itself. Most bodies have been "charred beyond recognition." DNA samples are being collected from the next of kin to aid in identification.

The Lone Survivor and Global Response

In a truly remarkable turn of events, a 40-year-old British national, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, seated in seat 11A, was the sole survivor. He reportedly escaped by jumping out of an emergency window and is currently receiving treatment at Civil Hospital, Asarwa, Ahmedabad, for serious injuries. He was traveling with his brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh (45), who did not survive.

The global community has expressed profound condolences. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it a "heartbreaking day," while King Charles III and Queen Camilla offered their "special prayers and deepest possible sympathy." US President Donald Trump extended support and assistance, calling it "one of the worst aviation disasters in history." The European Union Delegation to India lowered its flag to half-mast in solidarity.

Both Indian and British aviation agencies have launched investigations into the crash. The US National Transport Safety Board will also send a team to assist. One of the aircraft's black boxes has been recovered, with the search continuing for the second. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has announced the formation of a high-level committee to strengthen aviation safety.

Air India has activated emergency hotlines (1800 5691 444) and organized relief flights for the families of the victims. The Tata Group, which owns Air India, has announced an interim compensation of ₹1 crore per victim, with an additional payment of ₹1.8 crore mandated under the Montreal Convention. Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, has also offered its full support to the investigation.

Ahmedabad Aviation Disaster: Death Toll Mounts as Hopes for Survivors Dim, Boeing Stock Tumbles

Ahmedabad, India – The full horror of yesterday's Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad is tragically coming into sharper focus. While initial reports spoke of a single miraculous survivor, Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner G.S. Malik has now stated that there appear to be no survivors from the aircraft, bringing the total confirmed fatalities from the devastating incident to a grim 317. This figure includes all 242 people aboard the London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and at least 75 individuals on the ground where the plane impacted residential quarters.

The London-bound flight, which crashed near Meghaninagar just minutes after its 13:39 IST takeoff from Ahmedabad International Airport, impacted residential buildings, specifically the Atulyam Flats and the Civil Hospital staff quarters, including a medical college student's hostel. The sheer force of the impact and the ensuing massive fire, fueled by the aircraft's 1.25 lakh litres of fuel, left bodies "charred beyond recognition," according to top state police officer Vidhi Chaudhary.

Unraveling the Tragedy

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, an experienced pilot with 8,200 flying hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had 1,100 hours of flight experience. Tragically, First Officer Kundar has been confirmed to be the cousin of actor Vikrant Massey, who expressed his profound grief on social media.

The passenger list tragically included 14 children, including two infants. While earlier reports mentioned former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani as being on board, sources close to him have since clarified that he had taken a different flight. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the aircraft issued a "MAYDAY" distress call before losing contact, plummeting just outside the airport perimeter after reaching a mere 825 feet.

Ripple Effects: Markets and Mourning

The news of the fatal crash immediately impacted Boeing Co. shares, which tumbled over 7% in pre-market trading on Thursday, reflecting investor concerns over the safety of the 787 Dreamliner model – this being its first fatal crash. Boeing has issued a statement expressing condolences and readiness to support the investigation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his profound sorrow, calling the tragedy "heartbreaking beyond words." Condolences have poured in from around the globe, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer lamenting a "heartbreaking day" for many British and Indian families, and US President Donald Trump offering immediate assistance. The EU also lowered its flag to half-mast in a gesture of solidarity.

Rescue operations at the crash site have been completed, with 204 bodies recovered from the scene, though the overall toll now includes ground casualties. DNA samples are being collected from the next of kin to facilitate identification. Air India has activated dedicated hotlines (1800 5691 444) and arranged relief flights for grieving families. The Tata Group has announced an interim compensation of ₹1 crore per victim, with an additional ₹1.8 crore mandated under the Montreal Convention.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal investigation, with assistance from the US National Transport Safety Board and the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has pledged to form a high-level committee to enhance aviation safety and prevent future tragedies of this devastating scale. The recovery of one black box from the wreckage is a crucial step in understanding the cause of this horrific disaster.