In what is being called one of the gravest aviation tragedies in recent Indian history, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad on Thursday, killing at least 265 people including Gujarat's former chief minister (CM) Vijay Rupani and the family of and prominent industrialist Pramukh Nanda.
The aircraft, operating as flight AI-171 to London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed into the BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital complex less than a minute after take-off at 1.39pm. Among the 242 on board—230 passengers and 12 crew—only one person miraculously survived. Several individuals on the ground were also killed, bringing the provisional death toll to 265, though officials said DNA testing is underway to confirm identities.
The ill-fated flight, carrying a mix of Indian and international passengers, triggered immediate national and global reactions. The lone survivor, identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, was seated in 11A and was seen walking after the crash before being admitted to the trauma ward. His brother, who accompanied him on the journey, did not survive.
Officials stated that the aircraft plummeted shortly after take-off from runway 23, crashing into the densely populated residential quarters of doctors and students near the Civil Hospital. The fire ignited by the aircraft's fuel—estimated at over 1.25 lakh litres—engulfed several buildings and vehicles in the vicinity. The blaze also caused massive damage to the multi-storey hostel and dining area, killing several MBBS students and medical staff family members.
Former CM Rupani, seated in business class seat 2D, was among those who perished. The devastating crash killed 241 of the 242 people on board, as confirmed by Air India later in the day. The aircraft was under the command of captain Sumeet Sabharwal, an experienced pilot with over 8,000 flying hours, and first officer Clive Kundar.
Air traffic control (ATC) confirmed that the flight had issued a ‘Mayday’ distress call seconds after take-off, but no further communication followed. The directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) is currently leading the probe, and efforts are underway to recover the aircraft’s black box for data that could explain the crash.
Aviation experts speculate that a sudden loss of thrust in both engines or a possible bird strike may have caused the plane to lose altitude so quickly. Video footage appeared to show the aircraft attempting a climb before descending with its landing gear still down.
Eyewitnesses described horrifying scenes as the aircraft’s fuselage exploded into flames upon impact, sending thick plumes of black smoke across the city skyline. The wreckage was strewn across the college campus, with some debris lodging into the fifth-floor dining hall. Emergency workers spent hours retrieving bodies, many charred beyond recognition.
Several students were having lunch when the plane hit the building.
Four MBBS students and the spouse of a local doctor were among those confirmed dead. Multiple cars parked on the campus were also reduced to ash.
Prime minister (PM) Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow, calling the tragedy "heartbreaking beyond words." He added that he had been in continuous contact with officials on the ground.
From the UK, King Charles III and PM Keir Starmer expressed their condolences. With 53 British nationals on board, the crash has sent shockwaves through both nations. The UK's foreign office said it is working with Indian authorities to provide support to affected families.
Air India and its parent company Tata group responded swiftly. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the airline confirmed the crash and the fatalities, expressing condolences and announcing the activation of emergency centres for affected families. Dedicated helplines have been launched for relatives seeking information—1800 5691 444 (India) and +91 8062779200 (international).
Tata group chairman N Chandrasekaran pledged Rs1 crore compensation for each family that lost a loved one and announced that Tata would fund the rebuilding of the hostel at BJ Medical College.
"This is a dark day for all of us at Tata. Our hearts go out to the grieving families. We will stand by them in every way possible," Mr Chandrasekaran said in a statement.
Aircraft manufacturer Boeing, which built the Dreamliner, said it is working with Air India and will fully cooperate with the investigation. This is the first crash involving the Boeing 787 model in India and the deadliest since the 2020 Kozhikode crash.
Operations at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport were briefly suspended following the crash and resumed later in the evening.
This crash marks Ahmedabad's second major aviation disaster. The previous one occurred on 19 October 1988, when an Indian Airlines aircraft crashed during its final approach, killing 130 people.
Authorities are continuing to comb through the wreckage, with DNA samples being collected for identification. Several teams from the national disaster response force (NDRF) and fire services remain at the site.
“This is a massive loss of life and we must ensure a thorough probe,” said Union home minister Amit Shah, who visited the crash site and the hospital treating the lone survivor.
With hundreds of families now in mourning and many awaiting confirmation of their loved ones’ fate, India’s aviation safety protocols and emergency response mechanisms are likely to come under intense scrutiny in the coming weeks.
