Vishal
Ahmedabad Plane Crash: One of India’s Worst Aviation Disasters
Ahmedabad, June 14, 2025 – In one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Indian history, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner (Flight AI-171) crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, killing 274 people, including 33 on-ground fatalities. The aircraft, en route to London Gatwick, plunged into the BJ Medical College hostel in Meghani Nagar, triggering a massive fireball due to its heavy fuel load.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has convened a high-level meeting today at 10:30 AM to review air safety protocols, while forensic teams work to identify victims through DNA sampling.
Key Developments
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Black Box Recovered: The crucial flight data recorder (FDR) was retrieved from the rooftop of the crash site, offering hope for determining the cause.
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Sole Survivor: British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, seated near an emergency exit, miraculously survived with minor injuries.
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High-Level Probe: A multi-disciplinary committee has been formed to investigate the crash and recommend aviation safety improvements.
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Global Condolences: PM Modi, UK PM Keir Starmer, and other world leaders expressed shock, while King Charles III led a moment of silence in the UK.
Tragedy Unfolds: Eyewitness Accounts & Rescue Efforts
The flight, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, took off at 1:39 PM but issued a MAYDAY distress call within seconds. Witnesses reported the aircraft struggling to gain altitude before crashing into the medical college, where students were having lunch.
Eyewitness Account:
“The plane tilted sharply, then exploded on impact. We saw students trapped under debris,” said Dr. Piyush, an assistant professor at BJ Medical College who narrowly escaped.
Rescue & Forensic Challenges
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NDRF, Firefighters, and Police worked through the night, but extreme heat (over 1,000°C) from burning jet fuel hampered efforts.
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DNA Identification: With bodies charred beyond recognition, 1,000+ DNA samples are being collected from grieving families.
Possible Causes Under Investigation
While the probe is in early stages, aviation experts speculate:
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Engine Failure: A dual-engine malfunction or bird strike may have caused loss of thrust.
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Human Error: Pilots may have failed to retract landing gear, increasing drag.
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System Malfunction: Electrical or software failure in the Boeing 787’s advanced systems.
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Fuel Contamination: Water in fuel tanks could have led to engine flameout.
Captain Rakesh Rai (Retd. Pilot):
“The landing gear was visibly down in crash footage—an unusual sight during takeoff. This suggests a critical oversight or system failure.”
Victims & Heartbreaking Stories
The crash claimed lives from multiple nations, including:
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Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, who was traveling to London.
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Dr. Prateek Joshi, a radiologist, along with his wife and three children.
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Newlywed Bhavik Maheshwari, who had just tied the knot in Vadodara.
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Medical students at BJ College, where the plane crashed.
Families Await Closure
At Civil Hospital, relatives queued up to provide DNA samples. “They asked for 72 hours. We don’t even have a body to mourn,” said a grieving relative.
તેઓને સોંપાયેલ દરેક ભૂમિકામાં, તે પછી રાજકોટ મ્યુનિસિપલ કોર્પોરેશનમાં હોય કે રાજ્યસભાના સાંસદ તરીકેની હોય, પ્રદેશ ભાજપના પ્રમુખની હોય કે પછી રાજ્ય સરકારમાં કેબિનેટ મંત્રી અને મુખ્યમંત્રી તરીકેની હોય, તેઓએ દરેક વખતે એક અનોખો ચીલો ચાતર્યો હતો. pic.twitter.com/4bB9IyU5If
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2025
Government & Airline Response
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PM Modi visited the crash site, met survivors, and assured support.
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Tata Group announced ₹1 crore compensation for victims’ families.
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DGCA Ordered Inspections: Enhanced safety checks on all Air India 787s.
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Global Coordination: US, UK, and Indian investigators are collaborating.
Lessons from Past Crashes
The Ahmedabad crash draws eerie parallels with:
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1978 Emperor Ashoka Crash (Mumbai): Pilot error due to faulty instruments led to 213 deaths.
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2018 Surat Near-Miss: A similar takeoff incident was narrowly averted.
Aviation Expert Vandana Singh:
“India must enforce stricter maintenance protocols and pilot training to prevent such tragedies.”
Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy. pic.twitter.com/R7PPGGo6Lj
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2025
Helpline Numbers for Families
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Air India: 1800-5691-444 (India), +91-8062779200 (International)
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UK Consulate: +44 (0)20 7008 5000
