Hajra Naz
In a devastating tragedy, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London’s Gatwick Airport crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The crash resulted in the deaths of over 290 people, including passengers, crew members, and individuals on the ground.
Flight Details and Timeline
The aircraft, carrying 242 people — including 217 adults, 11 children, and 2 infants — lost control minutes after departure at 1:39 p.m. local time. After issuing a mayday signal to air traffic control, the plane plummeted into a densely populated residential area, striking a doctor’s hostel building belonging to a nearby medical college during lunchtime.
Casualties and Survivors
Authorities reported that 204 bodies were initially recovered, but the toll later rose as the wreckage was cleared. At least one passenger, identified as Ramesh Viswashkumar, survived the crash by escaping through an emergency exit. He is currently being treated in hospital. Officials say there may be more survivors among those hospitalized.
Prominent Victims and National Mourning
Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose passing has prompted national mourning and condolences from top leaders. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “heartbreaking beyond words.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles also expressed sorrow, as the UK begins coordination with India to support the victims’ families.
Eyewitness Accounts and Scene Description
Eyewitnesses described a massive fireball and black smoke rising from the crash site. Debris, including parts of the aircraft and bodies, was scattered across the Meghani Nagar neighborhood. The plane’s tail section was found lodged atop the hostel building. Emergency responders faced a harrowing scene as they rushed to save lives and manage the aftermath.
Aircraft Information and Safety Record
According to Flightradar24, the aircraft — registration VT-ANB — was one of Boeing’s newer wide-body jets, first delivered to Air India in 2014. This incident marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model praised for its safety and modern design.
Ongoing Investigation and International Response
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reported that the aircraft veered off the runway perimeter after take-off, leading to catastrophic impact. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Boeing, GE Aerospace, and the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) have all dispatched teams to support Indian authorities.
Passenger Demographics
Passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. Rescue operations were complicated by fire, debris, and building damage, but emergency teams managed to evacuate much of the impacted area.
Historical Context and Aviation Safety Concerns
This tragedy adds to India’s aviation challenges. The last fatal crash occurred in 2020 when an Air India Express flight overshot a runway in Kozhikode, killing 21. Experts have long called for enhanced safety protocols and infrastructure upgrades at Indian airports, especially older or heavily trafficked ones.
Personal Accounts and Victim Identification
Grieving relatives have been asked to provide DNA samples for victim identification. Among those affected was Poonam Patel, who lost a relative aboard the flight, and Ramila, whose son survived after jumping from the second floor of the hostel.
Expert Analysis and Technical Clues
U.S. aerospace analyst Anthony Brickhouse noted anomalies from early footage, such as the aircraft’s landing gear being down when it should have been retracted — suggesting a malfunction or emergency attempt at returning.
Airport Operations and Corporate Reactions
Flight operations at Ahmedabad Airport were temporarily halted but have since resumed on a limited scale. Air India and Boeing issued official statements expressing condolences and promising full cooperation with the investigation.
National and International Repercussions
As India mourns its worst aviation tragedy in a decade, the loss of life and impact on families across nations underscores the urgent need for ongoing scrutiny of air travel safety and response systems. This incident will likely remain etched in public memory as a call for action and accountability in global aviation.
