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Introduction: Horror Unfolds Over Gujarat Skies
In a tragic aviation disaster on June 12, 2025, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The London-bound flight was en route to Gatwick Airport when it plunged into a residential zone, leaving at least 30 dead and several others trapped or injured.
Crash Site: A Doctors’ Hostel Turned Disaster Zone
Authorities confirmed the aircraft crashed into the doctors’ hostel at the state-run B.J. Medical College in Ahmedabad, reportedly landing on the building’s dining hall. Eyewitnesses and local media reported horrifying visuals of burning debris and smoke billowing from the wreckage.
Rescue teams, including police, fire services, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), managed to recover 30–35 bodies so far, with fears that the final toll could rise.
“We have cleared almost 70–80% of the building,” said a senior police officer at the scene. “More people are feared trapped.”
Victim Breakdown: Diverse Passenger Nationalities
According to Air India, the aircraft was carrying:
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217 adults
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11 children
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2 infants
Initial reports confirm that 169 were Indian nationals, followed by 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.
Aircraft Details: The First Dreamliner Disaster
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, one of the most modern and efficient wide-body jets in service. This marks the first-ever crash involving the Dreamliner, a model that has been flying commercially since 2011.
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Aircraft Age: First flight in 2013
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Delivery to Air India: January 2014
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Tracking Data: Flightradar24 reported last contact just seconds after takeoff
Timeline of the Tragedy: What Happened After Takeoff
According to Ahmedabad Airport's air traffic control (ATC), Flight AI171 took off at 1:39 PM local time from runway 23. Moments later, the pilot issued a "Mayday" distress call—indicating a severe emergency. Contact was then lost entirely.
Television footage showed the aircraft ascending over a residential zone, vanishing from view before a massive fireball erupted on the horizon.
Eyewitness Accounts: Screams, Smoke, and Desperation
Families of passengers and nearby residents described chaos and heartbreak:
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Poonam Patel, a relative of a passenger, told reporters:
“My sister-in-law was flying to London. An hour later, we heard the unimaginable—her plane had crashed.”
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Ramila, whose son was at the hostel for lunch, said:
“He jumped from the second floor to save himself. He’s injured, but alive.”
First responders reported pulling charred bodies from rubble and rushing survivors on stretchers to local hospitals.
Global Reaction: Leaders Express Condolences
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hails from Gujarat, posted on X:
"The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles were briefed on the incident. The UK Foreign Office stated it was working with Indian authorities to support affected families.
Operational Fallout: Flight Suspensions and Investigations
Ahmedabad Airport, operated by the Adani Group, suspended all flight operations. Group Chairman Gautam Adani stated:
“We are shocked and deeply saddened... Our full support goes to the affected families.”
Boeing also released a statement confirming that it is working with authorities to gather facts. The company’s shares fell 6.8% in pre-market trading following the news.
Aviation History: India’s Worst Crash Since 2020
This is India’s deadliest aviation accident since the 2020 Kozhikode crash, when an Air India Express plane overshot a table-top runway, killing 21 people. The recent crash now raises questions about aircraft safety, maintenance procedures, and operational protocols.
Conclusion: A Nation in Mourning Awaits Answers
As recovery teams continue their grim task and aviation experts search for clues, the nation waits for clarity on what went wrong. With lives lost and families devastated, this tragic crash has sent ripples across borders—marking a dark day in Indian civil aviation history.