When we board a flight, we never think of something unimaginable or tragic. We all just hope for a safe landing and eagerly wait for our destination. All 242 passengers must have thought of the same. However, with a heavy heart, we are bringing this news to you. The shocking news has reached us from Ahmedabad. On a day that was meant to be ordinary, tragedy struck with a force that has left Ahmedabad, and indeed the entire nation shrouded in grief. Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed just moments after taking off. This is the most tragic news of the day. It was carrying 242 souls to London and took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad. However, their journey was cut brutally short.
The aircraft, filled with the hopes and dreams of 230 passengers and 12 dedicated crew members, crashed into the Meghani area. It’s a densely populated area. The impact of this crash felt like an inferno that shattered countless lives in an instant.
The Tragedy
It was a horror that unfolded in the blink of an eye when a densely populated area shook with a sudden explosion. As eyewitnesses recall the roar of this sudden explosion, they can recall the sky was filled with thick, black smoke. No one knew what had happened.
As we know when a plane is destined for its journey, it is loaded with fuel. This Air India plane was loaded heavy with fuel for its long journey. As soon as it crashed, it erupted in flames. Every eyewitness who saw the flames and thick black smoke in the sky felt terrified. Soon, the emergency sirens pierced the chaos as fire engines and ambulances raced to the scene. But the devastation was already overwhelming. Rescue workers, their faces etched with shock and sorrow, pulled the injured from the wreckage and ferried them to the city hospital, where families waited in anguish for news of their loved ones.
| Aspect | Details |
| Date of Crash | 12th June 2025 |
| Flight | Air India AI17, Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft (Ahmedabad-London Gatwick) |
| Onboard Passengers | 242 Passengers (169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 1 Canadian, 7 Portuguese nationals) |
| Take Off Time | 1:38 pm IST (Crashed after minutes) |
| Crash Location | Meghani, Ahmedabad |
| Causalities | Yet to be declared |
| Cause | Under investigation |
The Passengers
There were 242 passengers on the plane including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese citizens. Students, families, business travellers and even a former Chief Minister. Each had their own story, their own destination. Little these people knew that they were about to share the same tragic fate. The plane was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 flight hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours of flying experience. The pilots, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar, both fought bravely until the last moments, but fate was not on their side.
What Did Go Wrong?
As the nation mourns, officials have begun to piece together what went wrong. The flight data indicates that the aircraft began its descent at a dangerously low altitude of 625 feet. It is the altitude when Pilots issued a ‘MAYDAY’ call before losing contact with air traffic control. And soon after this, the crash occurred just outside the airport perimeter. Thick black smoke and flames were seen billowing afterward; it fell near a medical college and densely populated area. The aircraft had recently been refurbished, and speculation is going on about a possible engineering fault. However, the truth is yet unknown because investigations are still going on. The DGCA and international experts have launched an investigation, but answers will be of no comfort to the grieving families.
When the impact and explosions were heard, emergency services, including multiple fire engines, ambulances, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, were moved to respond swiftly. They launched coordinated rescue and firefighting operations. Several injured passengers were transported to the city civil hospital. As per the recent reports, 120 people have lost their lives, however, we still don’t know the exact number of casualties.
What is The Current Situation?
The city and the whole country are mourning the loss of lives. The Ahmedabad airport has suspended all flight operations immediately after the crash. The authorities have set up emergency helplines for families and the public.
As soon as the news of this tragic trash has travelled, people are in shock. They are in disbelief. Families are in touch with the authorities and rushed to know the whereabouts of their loved ones. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Home Minister Amit Shah both have expressed deep sorrow. They are directing officials to speed up the rescue and relief operations and ensure immediate medical care for the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi instructed central ministers to visit the site and provide all necessary assistance to those affected.
The incident has shocked the nation. This is not just a tragedy, it is a wound that will take a long time to heal, a sorrow that will linger in the hearts of all who remember this dark day. Our prayers are with the people.
