An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flight, headed to London Gatwick, crashed moments after take-off from Ahmedabad on Thursday, killing all 242 people on board and five more on the ground. The aircraft, operating as flight AI171, struck a medical college hostel in the Meghani Nagar area just minutes after departure.
The jet, carrying 232 passengers and 10 crew, had departed at 1:38 pm local time. It reached a height of just over 600 feet before losing contact with air traffic control. A mayday call was issued, but no further communication followed. Reports suggest the aircraft was fully fuelled for the long-haul journey, intensifying the post-impact blaze.
Visuals from the site showed the wreckage embedded in the wall of a dining hall where students had been having lunch. Eyewitnesses reported a deafening explosion, and rescue teams arriving shortly after found no survivors.
Air India has confirmed the crash, stating that 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian were on board. The airline said it is fully cooperating with investigators and has activated an emergency hotline for families of the victims. Investigations are expected to focus on the aircraft’s take-off configuration, possible engine failure, and maintenance records.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a public statement following news of the disaster, saying: “The news of a passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad is absolutely devastating. In this time of tragedy, Australia’s thoughts are with everyone affected. Our government is receiving regular updates and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
This is the first recorded fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 since the aircraft entered service in 2011. The Dreamliner model, known for its fuel efficiency and composite body, has been used widely on international routes.
The impact of the tragedy is being felt far beyond India. Among the victims were multiple foreign nationals, including tourists, business travellers, and students returning to the UK after summer visits. A London-based couple had posted farewell messages from the airport just minutes before boarding.
Other airlines expressed their condolences. SriLankan Airlines called the crash “an immense tragedy” and extended support to Air India and the broader aviation community. “May those who are grieving find the strength, comfort, and courage to endure this profoundly difficult time,” its statement said.
Air India, now owned by the Tata Group, has been undergoing a slow modernisation process. While the carrier has announced fleet upgrades and improved service protocols, Thursday’s crash may intensify scrutiny over safety standards and regulatory oversight.
Emergency crews continued to comb the wreckage into the evening, with forensic teams on-site and aviation authorities sealing off the area. Families of victims gathered at airports in Ahmedabad, London, and Delhi, awaiting news and grieving what is being described as one of the darkest days in Indian aviation.
As investigations begin, the focus will turn to the black box and cockpit voice recorder. But for now, the event stands as a haunting reminder that even with modern aviation’s advancements, tragedy can arrive without warning—and ripple across borders.
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🚨 Dreamliner tragedy: Air India Flight AI171 crashes after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing many. PM Albanese: “Absolutely devastating… Australia’s thoughts are with everyone affected.”
🔗https://t.co/QGlnZtvhQ4 #AirIndia #Ahmedabad #BreakingNews #Australia #PMAlbanese pic.twitter.com/7EQBLzbX1q— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) June 12, 2025
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