Ahmadabad:- On June 12, 2025, at approximately 1:38 p.m. IST, Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport bound for London Gatwick
Just 30–60 seconds later, at an altitude of around 625 ft. the aircraft stalled and descended into the BJ Medical College campus, hitting a doctors’ hostel and canteen . At the time of the incident, numerous medical students and doctors were gathered in the canteen for lunch. The aircraft’s impact caused a massive explosion, engulfing the area in a fiery inferno, leading to severe casualties and chaos. Emergency services, including fire brigades, ambulances, and disaster response teams, rushed to the site and are currently engaged in rescue and recovery operations. The extent of damage is still being assessed, but visuals from the scene show widespread destruction and thick plumes of smoke rising from the hospital complex.
Report BY;- Vinodh Ahmedabad
Casualties
Onboard fatalities: Out of 242 people (230 passengers + 12 crew), 241 died, including crew and former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani
Ground fatalities: There were at least 28 deaths in the hostel/canteen — including five MBBS students, one resident doctor, and a doctor’s wife — and over 60 injuries on campus
Total confirmed deaths: At least 269 people — 241 onboard and 28 on the ground
Ground impact
– The plane struck the doctors’ hostel mess building just as roughly 200 people were present, causing an explosion and engulfing the area in flames
Emergency services — including NDRF, IAF, BSF, NSG, 50+ ambulances and 65 fire engines — responded quickly to the engulfed site.
Survivors
– Remarkably, one passenger, British‑Indian national Vishwash kumar Ramesh (seat 11A), survived with serious injuries and is hospitalized at Civil Hospital.
Investigation underway
– The cockpit crew issued a “Mayday” before communication ceased. Preliminary reports note the landing gear was down and flaps were up — an odd configuration during takeoff, The black box has been recovered, and Indian authorities, with assistance from Boeing, FAA, NTSB, and GE Aerospace, have launched a full investigation.
Reactions
– Nationwide mourning has begun. Prime Minister Modi, UK PM Keir Starmer, King Charles III, and other leaders have offered condolences.
This stands as India’s worst single-aircraft disaster, especially tragic because the canteen was filled with medics at lunch. Emergency responders are still working onsite, with hospitals managing severely injured survivors.
Report BY;- Vinodh Ahmedabad