An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people crashed moments after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The London-bound flight, AI 171, went down in a residential area near the airport, resulting in a catastrophic loss of life.
According to official reports, over 250 people are confirmed dead, including passengers, crew members, and individuals on the ground. In a miraculous turn of events, one passenger from the aircraft survived the crash.
The aircraft, a relatively new Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, reportedly issued a distress call shortly after departing for London's Heathrow Airport. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane at a low altitude before it crashed and burst into flames.
Emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene. Rescue operations have been concluded, and the black box, consisting of the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder, has been recovered from the wreckage.
India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash. Authorities have not yet stated the official cause of the disaster. However, early reports suggest that investigators are exploring all possibilities, including potential sabotage and a rare dual engine failure.
Air India has expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and has set up a dedicated assistance center to support those affected by the tragedy. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to be released as the inquiry progresses. This incident marks a dark day for Indian aviation and has sent shockwaves across the global aviation community.
