Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, tragically crashed into a hostel housing medical students in Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad, shortly after taking off for London’s Gatwick Airport on Thursday, June 12, 2025. This catastrophic event claimed the lives of 241 out of the 242 individuals on board, comprising 230 passengers, 10 crew members, and 2 pilots. The precise number of ground casualties has not been officially released by authorities, though reports indicate several individuals on the ground were affected.

Viswashkumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national, emerged as the sole survivor of the disaster. Seated in 11A, adjacent to an emergency exit, Ramesh managed to escape the wreckage with only burns and scratches. He recounted his harrowing experience to DD India from his hospital bed, stating, “Everything happened in front of my eyes. I don’t know how I survived. For some time, I thought I was also going to die. But when I opened my eyes, I realised that I was alive. And I tried to unbuckle myself from the seat and escaped from where I could.” He described seeing a space outside the aircraft as his door broke, allowing him to squeeze through. Ramesh noted that the opposite side of the plane was pressed against the hostel wall, blocking any escape route for other passengers. He tragically witnessed the death of an air hostess and others. He recalled that about a minute after takeoff, the plane seemed to come to a standstill for five to ten seconds, accompanied by flashing green and white lights. Despite feeling an increase in engine thrust, the aircraft crashed with speed into the building, with his side landing on the ground floor of the hostel. His brother, Ajay, was also on the flight but seated in a different row.

The aircraft, a modern Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was owned by the Tata Group following its takeover of Air India in 2022. Delivered in January 2014, the plane was only 10 years old, well within the typical operational lifespan of up to 30 years. Known for its fuel efficiency, comfort, and advanced safety features, this particular model had no prior crash history. The flight departed Ahmedabad at 1:38 p.m. Indian time, initially climbing to 625 feet before rapidly losing altitude. A “Mayday” distress call was transmitted to Air Traffic Control (ATC) moments after takeoff, but communication ceased shortly thereafter, likely due to a loss of signal before impact. The flight was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who possessed 8,200 flight hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, with 1,100 flight hours, both considered adequately experienced.

The crash affected people of various nationalities, including 53 British citizens, 1 Canadian, 7 Portuguese, and 169 Indians. Among the identified victims were Dirth Patel, a 22-year-old from Leeds, UK, who was pursuing a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence. He was returning to the UK after seeking permission from his girlfriend’s parents to marry her. His family, especially his mother who had just dropped him off at the airport, is deeply grieving his loss. Another victim was Khushboo Rajpurohit, a 21-year-old bride who had taken a selfie at the airport before boarding, en route to meet her husband. These personal stories highlight the profound human cost of the tragedy.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash, with UK officials deployed to India to assist. Both the black box, which contains flight data, and the Digital Video Recorder (DVR) have been recovered. Experts anticipate these will provide crucial insights into the final moments of the flight. Indian commercial pilot Nagarjun Dwarkanath noted that circulating videos of the aircraft indicate a “loss of power,” leading to the aircraft stalling—meaning it could not maintain sufficient lift to stay airborne. While potential causes like engine failure, bird strike, or incorrect takeoff configuration have been suggested, no official conclusions have been drawn. Investigators emphasize that air crash investigations are complex and require time, urging the public to avoid speculation until official findings are released.

The devastating loss stunned nations globally. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and met with sole survivor Viswashkumar Ramesh in the hospital, later declaring a national day of mourning. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema conveyed heartfelt condolences to Prime Minister Modi and the people of India, underscoring the international solidarity in grief. As the investigation progresses, the Air India crash serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of continuous checks, crew readiness, and advanced technological safeguards in aviation, which remains one of the safest modes of transportation despite such tragic incidents.