Air India Flight 171 Crash: Over 240 Dead in One of India’s Worst Aviation Tragedies
On June 12, Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, resulting in the deaths of at least 241 people. The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was carrying 242 individuals, including passengers and crew, when it lost power minutes after departure and struck a medical college campus in a densely populated area.
The crash site presented scenes of utter devastation. Aircraft debris was scattered across rooftops, classrooms were engulfed in flames, and sections of the plane—including its tail—were embedded in the college building. The impact caused further casualties on the ground, as the crash occurred in a mixed residential and commercial zone.
Initial reports from authorities indicated no survivors. However, police later confirmed that one individual had miraculously lived through the disaster: 40-year-old British national Vishwas Kumar Ramesh. He had been traveling with his older brother, Ajay, who was among the victims. Vishwas is currently hospitalized and under close medical supervision.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Vishwas recounted the horrific event: “Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed.” He described waking up amid the wreckage and bodies, managing to crawl free before being rescued.
His survival is being hailed as extraordinary.
Among the passengers were couples and families sharing moments of joy before departure. One couple, Fiongal and his partner, posted cheerful videos on social media just before boarding. Their final moments, once filled with excitement, now serve as a heartbreaking tribute to the lives lost.
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash. Early indications point to a catastrophic engine failure shortly after takeoff. Air India and aviation regulators are cooperating with international experts to determine what went wrong.
This incident marks one of the deadliest air disasters in India’s history. Support centers have been established to assist affected families, and the nation mourns alongside those who have lost loved ones in this tragic event.
