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The aircraft had 242 people, while the influence also led to casualties among local residents on the ground.
Views of Ahmedabad Air India Plane Crash. (Photos: News18)
In a terrible event, which sent Shockwaves and Global Aviation Community, Air India Flight AI171, Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (Registration VT-A) all over India, Crashed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12, a few minutes after flying from the International Airport.
The flight fixed for the London Gatwick Airport (LGW) took 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The tragic incident occurred around 1.39 pm (08.09 GMT) at the local time.
The police officer said 265 bodies have been brought to the civil hospital in the city after a terrible accident.
“265 bodies have reached the hospital, which we have received,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanan Desai told reporters.
sequence of events
Initial information showed that the aircraft left using the entire length of runway 23, following an 11,499-foot strip, following the standard security protocol. However, after less than a minute of the lift-off, the signal from the aircraft was lost.
The flight tracking data indicates that the aircraft reached the maximum barometer height of only 625 feet (about 425 feet above the height of 200 feet), before it began a rapid lineage with a vertical speed of -475 feet per minute.
The Civil Aviation’s Directorate General (DGCA) reports confirms that the pilots released a “day” call for Air Traffic Control (ATC) immediately after takeoff, indicating immediate and serious emergency. Sadly, there was no response from the aircraft to the ATC later.
Witnesses on the ground saw the aircraft struggling to achieve height, flying unusually less in the residential area of Meghani Nagar near the airport. Videos on social media, some airport CCTVs were captured, gently descending the jet showing that a large -scale explosion filled the sky because it affects the ground. The aircraft crashed into a densely populated area, especially a medical college residential quarters and hostel buildings. Heavy fuel load, specific to a long-flying flight, caused heavy fire and explosion at the effect, attached debris and adjacent structures in flames.
Number of disastrous casualties and a miracle survivor
The accident resulted in heavy loss of life. Ahmedabad police chief, GS Malik, initially stated that no one appeared from the aircraft and confirmed the number of casualties among the local residents on the ground. Later, a glimpse of hope emerged with a confirmation of one Miraculous survivor: Ramesh Vishwaskumar, 40, aged 40. In a video floating on social media, he can be seen walking towards an ambulance. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for important medical care.
The counting of the final death will be confirmed after the DNA test and the sacred remains completely after the forensic examination, differential between those on the board and on the ground. Indian Medical Association Gujarat confirmed the death of three MBBS students and stated that 45 others of the Medical College Hostel were admitted to the hospital with injuries.
The plane was confirmed by the deadly people Vijay RupaniFormer Chief Minister of Gujarat (2016–2021), who allegedly had the route to London to meet his family. They included 169 Indian citizens, 53 British citizens, one Canadian and seven Portuguese on the board.
Response and investigation
Soon after the accident, a large -scale emergency response was initiated. The Indian Army Relief Column, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire engine, ambulances and six teams of police units, were rapidly gathered from the Golden Galling Division, to conduct rescue and recovery. Union home minister Amit Shah And Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapeu visited the accident site, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally monitored the situation. The government is constituting a high-level committee, including experts in many subjects to investigate the matter in detail, strengthen aviation security, and to prevent such incidents in the future.
Following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, a formal inquiry has been initiated by the Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (AAIB), in line with the International Protocol set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
– Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@rammnk) June 12, 2025
The PM described the incident as “breaking heart beyond words”, which confirms that rescue and relief efforts were already in pace. He said that he is in close contact with civil aviation and emergency officers, he said, “In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it.” The Prime Minister also promised full government support for the families of the victims, calling for a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident. He is expected to visit Ahmedabad on Friday.
Expressing deep grief over the destructive loss of life, Amit Shah assured that the government stands firmly with the families of the deceased, offering full support during this hour of unimaginable grief. The minister said that after going under the aircraft, the fire spread so fast that “there was no chance to save anything.” He emphasized the severity of influence and immediate inferior, which attached the debris, making rescue efforts almost impossible in early moments.
In a statement, Air India expressed its deep anguish and confirmed that the flight AI171 was “involved in an accident”. The airline stated that it was fully collaborating with the authorities and announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the families of each deceased victim from the Tata Group (Air India owners), as well as covering medical expenses for the injured and support for reconstruction of the affected college hostel.
International assistance has also been introduced. The UK’s Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) formally offered its assistance, and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced that it would send a team of investigators in India to support the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) India -led investigation.
Early insight into cause
While the official inqu Some experts such as Jeffrey Thomas said the aircraft undercarge still appeared in the video, while the flap was retreated. It is considered “unusual” immediately after takeoff and may point to “potential error in cockpit” or a mechanical issue. Another expert, Terry Tozer, similarly observed the clear lack of flap extensions, suggesting that “there would be a complete clarification for an aircraft that he is not completing his take-offs correctly”.
Other principles, such as “Multiple Bird Hits”, have also been suggested by former pilots, the cause of power loss in both engines, looking at the rapid descent of the aircraft immediately after the airborn formation. The fact is that the aircraft called “May Day”, indicating that a problem was identified almost immediately.
The incident marks the loss (total destruction) of the first hull of Boeing 787–8 Dreamliner as the model entered the service in 2011, re-examined the Boeing, which has faced significant security concerns and investigations in recent years. The black box (flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder) would be important in highlighting the exact sequence of events and the root cause of this disastrous tragedy.
Boeing issued a statement on Thursday, expressing condolences and supported to Air India and investigators.
In a post shared on the social media platform X, Boeing Airplane said: “We are in touch with Air India about Udaan 171 and are ready to support them. Our views are with passengers, crews, first respondents and all the affected.”
(With agency input)
Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a senior associate editor with news18.com and prefers to shorten a long story. He writes on politics, sports, global affairs, space, entertainment and food. He trails X through X …Read more
Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a senior associate editor with news18.com and prefers to shorten a long story. He writes on politics, sports, global affairs, space, entertainment and food. He trails X through X … Read more
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