On June 12, 2025, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Flight AI171, tragically crashed into the BJ Medical College and Hospital in Ahmedabad, India, shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The plane, which was bound for London’s Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom with 242 people on board, resulted in the loss of 241 passengers and crew, with only one survivor, Ramesh. Additionally, 34 people on the ground were killed, bringing the total fatalities to 275, making it one of the country's deadliest air disasters.

The devastating crash claimed the lives of numerous individuals and left many injured, both on the plane and within the medical college premises. Among the victims was eight-month-old Dhyaansh, identified as the youngest casualty. His mother, Dr. Manisha, a homoeopathy doctor, heroically shielded him from the flames, sustaining 25% burns, while Dhyaansh also suffered burns but was in stable condition. Tragically, 17-year-old Prachi Gajjar and her father, Jayesh, were killed while delivering food to an aunt at the hostel. Prachi's best friend, Disha Takkar, recounted a poignant last conversation with Prachi. Another young victim was Akash Patni, a teenage boy who was resting near his family's tea stall. His mother survived with injuries, unaware of her son's death.

The crash also impacted the medical community severely, with approximately 21 resident doctors sustaining injuries, including burns and fractures. Dr. Ramkrishna, an eyewitness, described hearing a deafening explosion and seeing bodies, including those of doctors, amidst the debris. Among the identified victims were resident doctors Aaryan Rajput, Manav Bhadoo, and Rakesh Deora, while a colleague, Jay Prakash Chaudhary, was reported missing. In a harrowing account, Kalyani Khatri, a doctor's wife, was trapped in her fifth-floor apartment. She suffered 9% burns while attempting to escape the smoke-filled passage but was eventually rescued by Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services after 25 agonizing minutes.

Amidst the tragedy, stories of exceptional courage and selflessness emerged. Captain Sabharwal, the seasoned pilot, is credited with saving countless lives by diverting the failing aircraft away from densely populated areas towards open grassland, issuing a mayday alert before the crash. Trainee doctors Navin Chaudhary and Akshay Zala, along with other medical students, demonstrated remarkable bravery. Leaping from a burning dining area, they immediately rushed to assist the injured, particularly those with severe burns in the ICU. Their swift actions are believed to have prevented an even greater loss of life. Additionally, a brave nanny saved a two-year-old child by moving her to a higher floor to avoid smoke and then carefully climbing down to safety. Emergency responders, including firefighters, NDRF teams, hospital staff, and local volunteers, tirelessly worked through the wreckage, recovering bodies and coordinating emergency care under extreme conditions.

In the aftermath, Air India’s Chief Executive Officer, Campel Wilson, addressed the devastating incident. It was reported that Wilson’s salary had been increased in May 2025, shortly before the crash, from ₹18.98 crore to ₹27.75 crore, with the airline stating it was commensurate with other multinational CEOs. Wilson expressed profound sorrow for the victims and their families, emphasizing that the airline takes passenger safety seriously. He affirmed that the crashed Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was well-maintained, with its last major check in June 2023, and its engines having undergone recent maintenance in March and April 2025. Air India awaits the official investigation report to fully understand the cause of the tragedy, while the families of the victims are being reached out to regarding compensation.