AHMEDABAD | June 13, 2025 — A catastrophic aviation tragedy struck on Thursday afternoon when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registration VT-ANB), crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft was bound for London Gatwick Airport and was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
The crash occurred at approximately 1:39 PM local time (08:09 GMT), just minutes after departure. According to authorities, the aircraft plunged into the mess area of a medical college hostel, causing significant casualties on the ground. By late Thursday night, a total of 265 bodies had been recovered and transferred to Ahmedabad’s civil hospital, including several medical students.
Air India confirmed that all 241 individuals on board the flight had perished. Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani (served 2016–2021), who was reportedly travelling to London to visit family members.
Amidst the widespread devastation, a rare tale of survival has emerged. Ramesh Vishwashkumar, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin, was identified as the sole survivor. He was reportedly travelling with his brother, Ajay Kumar Rakesh, who did not survive the crash.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and the hospital in Ahmedabad on Friday morning. Expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy, he assured full central government support for relief operations and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He also met with Vishwashkumar, the lone survivor, and called for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the cause of the accident.
As emergency services continue their operations and the aviation regulator initiates an inquiry, the nation mourns one of the deadliest air disasters in India’s recent history.
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