Tragic Air India Crash Claims Hundreds of Lives Shortly after Takeoff
A plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India, just minutes after taking off from the western city of Ahmedabad on Thursday, resulting in more than 200 fatalities.
"The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected," Indian Prime Narendra Modi wrote on X.
The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2025
Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane that was headed towards London Gatwick, was seen descending before thick black smoke rising up into the sky. Photos posted online show the remains of the plane, such as the aircraft's trail, which crashed into a doctor's hostel. According to Air India, on board the flight there were 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Of these passengers, there was 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 1 Canadian national, and 7 Portuguese nationals. All perished in the crash, but one.
Seems suspicious…??? pic.twitter.com/JhnNamFg2q
— IndiaWarMonitor (@IndiaWarMonitor) June 12, 2025
The sole survivor of the tragic Air India crash was 38-year-old British national Ramesh Vishwaskumar Bucharvada. According to India Today, Ramesh was seated in seat 11A, directly behind an emergency exit, and miraculously managed to escape the wreckage during the incident. Video footage captured just moments after the crash shows an injured but conscious Ramesh walking toward an ambulance as bystanders gathered around, anxiously asking him about the fate of the others.
Wow! Sole survivor Ramesh Vishwaskumar of doomed Air India crash walks away from wreckage pic.twitter.com/OyfYXqADnM
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 12, 2025
According to air traffic control at Ahmedabad Airport, the aircraft initially gave a "mayday" call shortly after takeoff around 1:30 local time, but there was no follow-up response. At the present time, the cause of the crash remains unknown.
Natarajan Chandrasekaran, the chairman of Air India, stated that Flight AI171 had been involved in a "tragic accident."
"We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted," he added.
United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the scenes of the plane "carrying many British nationals" as devastating.
"I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time," he said.
The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 12, 2025
I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.
As reported by Boeing's Statistical Summary of Commercial Jet Airplane Accidents, the accident marks the first time a Boeing 787 Dreamliner has crashed since the aircraft was launched in 2011.
Meanwhile, the last fatal plane crash in India took place in 2020 when an Air India Express, the airline's low-cost arm, crashed after skidding on the runway at Kozhikode International Airport in southern India and plunged into a valley. About twenty-one people were killed in the crash.
Pray for the Families Grieving This Tragic Plane Crash
Lord God,
We pray for peace and comfort at this time, especially for those who had friends, family, and loved ones who have died in the crash. We pray that we will be reminded that life is short and that we are not promised tomorrow. We also pray that people will get their hearts right with You before it is too late. May Your church likewise comfort those hurting at this time and point them to the great hope that is Jesus Christ.
In His holy name,
Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Anadolu/Contributor
Originally published June 12, 2025.
