Air India Dreamliner Crashes in Ahmedabad, Over 240 Feared Dead; First-Ever Fatal Boeing 787-8 Accident

Ahmedabad, India – June 12, 2025:
In one of the deadliest aviation disasters in a decade, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people crashed into a medical college hostel shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on Thursday, leaving more than 240 people dead.

The flight, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, reportedly issued a Mayday call moments after departing at 1:39 PM local time. It then plunged into the doctors’ hostel of a local medical college during lunch hour, triggering a massive fireball visible across the city.

Authorities have confirmed only one survivor—a British national of Indian origin, who was seated in 11A next to an emergency exit. He is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital.

“Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed,” said Ramesh Viswashkumar, speaking from his hospital bed. “There were bodies all around me… someone grabbed me and put me in an ambulance.”

Revised Casualty Figures and Ongoing Rescue Efforts

Initial reports of 294 fatalities were revised to over 240 confirmed dead after authorities clarified that some remains had been double-counted. It remains unclear how many victims were on board versus in the hostel building.

Police identified Vijay Rupani, former Gujarat chief minister, among the deceased. The government is collecting DNA samples from relatives to aid in victim identification.

CCTV footage captured the final moments of the aircraft as it disappeared over residential rooftops before the explosion. Eyewitnesses described chaos, with debris scattered and the plane’s tail lodged atop the hostel building.

Flight Details and Passenger Manifest

According to Air India sources, the Dreamliner carried:

• 217 adults
  
• 11 children
  
• 2 infants
  

Nationality-wise, the passengers included:

• 169 Indian nationals
  
• 53 Britons
  
• 7 Portuguese
  
• 1 Canadian
  

The aircraft, delivered to Air India in 2014, was undertaking Flight AI171. This marks the first-ever fatal crash involving the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, a model that has been in commercial service since 2011.

Official Reactions and Global Impact

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, deeply affected by the tragedy in his home state, posted:

“The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles expressed condolences. U.S. President Donald Trump called the crash “terrible.”

The Indian Civil Aviation Ministry has launched a formal investigation, and a high-level committee is being formed. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will lead the inquiry.

Boeing and Global Aviation Response

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg canceled his Paris Air Show appearance, confirming a team will assist Indian authorities. The U.S. FAA, GE Aerospace, and UK Foreign Office are also involved in the investigation.

Aviation safety expert Anthony Brickhouse noted an anomaly in crash footage:

“The landing gear appeared down during take-off, which is highly unusual.”

Following the crash, Boeing shares fell 5%, while Ahmedabad Airport, operated by Adani Group, temporarily suspended flights before resuming limited operations.

India’s Worst Air Disaster Since 2020

This is India’s first fatal aviation incident since 2020, when an Air India Express aircraft overshot a tabletop runway in Kozhikode, killing 21.

Air India, now owned by the Tata Group following its 2022 privatization, merged with Vistara in 2024.

As search operations continue, the country and aviation industry alike grapple with the magnitude of this loss.