A major aviation tragedy struck India on June 12, 2025, when Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed just five minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad to London. The plane was carrying 244 people—232 passengers and 12 crew members. The Dreamliner had a clean safety record until now, making this its first fatal crash.
Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft sent a mayday signal but lost contact at low altitude. It crashed into a crowded residential area near the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, slamming into a doctors’ hostel at B.J. Medical College. Eyewitnesses reported loud explosions and thick black smoke filling the sky.
Rescue teams rushed to the site as local hospitals filled with injured survivors. At least 30 to 35 bodies have been recovered so far, and many more are feared trapped under the debris. The crash claimed the lives of several medical students and residents in the area. Weather conditions were clear at the time of the crash, ruling out poor visibility.
In response, India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, visited the crash site and pledged a full investigation. The airport remains shut as authorities search for answers. The incident has sparked nationwide mourning and questions over aircraft safety. And finally, here’s what India said: “Every life lost is a national loss—we will hold those responsible accountable.”