A major aviation tragedy is unfolding in Ahmedabad this afternoon, as an Air India passenger aircraft carrying more than 200 people crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. According to the reports, the flight was bound for London and had approximately 242 passengers and crew members on board at the time of the crash. There are almost no survivors from the aircraft.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was onboard the plane and has been declared dead.
The plane crashed directly onto the undergraduate hostel mess of BJ Medical College in the Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad. The impact caused a massive fire in part of the building, and at least 40 students are injured. There are reports that several interns and super speciality residents have lost their lives. Local police and rescue teams reached the site within minutes, and emergency operations are ongoing to clear the debris and assist the injured.
The crash has also damaged several buildings in the vicinity, adding to the chaos and concern among residents and the medical college community.
An Air India Dreamliner bound for London crashed shortly after takeoff near Ahmedabad’s Meghani area with 242 passengers on board, triggering massive rescue efforts.
Eyewitnesses reported thick smoke and chaos as the aircraft went down in a densely populated neighbourhood.… pic.twitter.com/jc8Ex3Iu9L
— The CSR Journal (@thecsrjournal) June 12, 2025
Emergency services, including fire brigades, disaster response teams, and ambulances, reached the site within minutes and launched massive rescue operations. Injured individuals are being taken to nearby hospitals, and the area has been sealed off to allow emergency vehicles to move freely. The exact number of casualties and the condition of those on board have not yet been officially confirmed, as rescue efforts are still ongoing.
One survivor
In the meantime, there is one survivor of this deadly crash. Seating on seat 11A, an economy class seat in the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft was Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, as per the boarding list, who walked out of the crash with injuries after the incident. He was reportedly travelling with his brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, who was seating on 11J. Both of them carry a British passport.
“Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” Vishwash, who received “impact injuries” on his chest, eyes and feet, told HT. Vishwash, who still had his boarding pass, said, “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.”
Vishwash said he had lived in London for 20 years, adding that his wife and child too live in London.
He said that his brother Ajay was seated in a different row on the plane. “We visited Diu. He was travelling with me and I can’t find him anymore. Please help me find him,” he said.
Rescue Operations
Rescue teams are facing severe challenges as many bodies recovered from the hostel mess are charred beyond recognition, making identification difficult. A large section of the aircraft broke off and landed on the hostel’s rooftop, which remains inaccessible, and no rescue efforts have started for that part yet.
Officials are focusing on cooling the building, as the intense heat and presence of excess aviation fuel have raised fears that the structure could collapse. The heavy fuel load for the international flight has intensified the blaze, further complicating rescue and recovery operations.
Eyewitnesses described seeing thick smoke and flames rising from the crash site, with the impact felt across nearby neighbourhoods. Many residents reported hearing a loud explosion and rushed out to see the aftermath, while emergency sirens filled the air.
In an official statement, Air India confirmed the plane crash and said it was following up for more details.
Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off.
The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are…
— Air India (@airindia) June 12, 2025