Ahmedabad, 12 June 2025. A heartbreaking plane accident happened in Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon. Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that was heading to London-Gatwick, crashed into a medical hostel just a few minutes after it took off. The crash took place at 1:30 PM IST and resulted in the loss of many lives, including five medical students and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. This tragic event sent shockwaves throughout India and even to other countries.
Passenger Nationalities in Air India AI 171
According to Air India, the passengers on board represented a diverse range of nationalities.
| Nationality | Number |
| Indian citizens | 169 |
| British nationals | 53 |
| Portuguese citizens | 7 |
| Canadian national | 1 |
Not long after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, the pilot of AI 171 made a mayday call to Air Traffic Control. Sources say that the pilot’s last words were:
“No thrust, plane not taking lift.”
Communication was lost soon after, and just a few minutes later, the plane plunged into a residential building. This hostel housed students and doctors from a medical college in Meghani Nagar, a densely populated area. People who saw it happen reported hearing a loud bang, and then they saw black smoke coming up from where the plane crashed.
Officials have confirmed that five students died, four of them were undergraduates and one was a postgraduate, while they were in the hostel during the crash. Many others were hurt, including people living in the hostel and those on the bus. Rescue teams, comprising firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical services personnel, arrived at the scene within a few minutes.
Over 24 ambulances were dispatched, and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals. The building had a partial collapse, and by evening, the search for people who might be trapped was still happening. Local officials blocked off the area and redirected traffic to ensure that rescue efforts could proceed uninterrupted.
Among the 242 people on board was Vijay Rupani, who served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021 and is a well-known leader in the BJP. Sadly, the 68-year-old was confirmed dead by the evening. His death is a sad reminder of Gujarat’s political past. Balwantrai Mehta, the second Chief Minister of the state, also lost his life in a plane crash back in 1965.
Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief on X (formerly Twitter), saying:
“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.”
Bollywood and the Sports Community Respond to the Incident
As news of the crash spread, people from the entertainment and sports worlds shared their sympathies.
Actor Salman Khan canceled a scheduled event to announce his association with the Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) in light of the tragedy.
Cricketers Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya also responded, with Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma posting: “Saddened and shocked. Praying for all affected.”
Pandya wrote: “Prayers and strength to everyone impacted by the tragedy.”
Air India and Government Response
Air India confirmed the crash in an official statement.
“Flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London has been involved in an incident shortly after takeoff. We are coordinating with local authorities and emergency teams on-site.”
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a full investigation into the crash. Initial indications suggest a potential engine failure, although the conclusions will depend on the results of the black box analysis and technical assessments.
After the event, the Global Association, along with local NGOs, asked for blood donations because hospitals are still helping burn victims and people with trauma.
The Ahmedabad plane crash is one of the saddest air disasters in recent Indian history, causing a lot of sorrow, questions that need answers, and a community that is grieving.
While rescue and recovery efforts continue, the country is hoping for understanding and healing during this challenging time.
As the flames died down and rescue teams worked through the night, the full weight of the tragedy began to sink in. The Air India Flight AI 171 crash will be remembered not only for its scale but also for the deep sense of loss it has left behind.
Families are shattered, futures abruptly cut short, and a nation once again reminded of the fragility of human life and the unpredictability of the skies. The image of the burning Dreamliner and the wreckage scattered across Meghani Nagar has become a painful symbol of grief for thousands who watched the horror unfold on live television.
Investigators from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Boeing officials, and representatives from Air India have already started piecing together what went wrong in those few critical minutes after takeoff.
The black box, once recovered and analyzed, is expected to reveal vital data about the engine’s failure and flight controls. Experts say the pilot’s final distress call, “No thrust, plane not taking lift,” may indicate a dual-engine malfunction, which is rare in modern aviation. Yet until the findings are confirmed, speculation and sorrow continue to hang heavy in the air.
At hospitals across Ahmedabad, volunteers lined up to donate blood. Residents opened their homes to stranded relatives of passengers, while students from nearby colleges assisted authorities in identifying the victims.
For many, this tragedy is personal: a neighbor, a classmate, a colleague lost in an instant. The city’s collective grief transcended boundaries of religion, politics, and class. It became a moment of unity born out of heartbreak.
The loss of former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani added another layer of sadness. A figure respected even by his critics, his death struck a chord in Gujarat’s political landscape. Leaders across parties came together to mourn him, momentarily setting aside political rivalries. His passing, alongside that of innocent students and travelers, reminded the country that tragedy does not discriminate; it claims everyone, regardless of position or power.
For Air India, this disaster represents both a human and institutional reckoning. The airline, which has worked to rebuild its global reputation after privatization and modernization efforts, now faces one of the darkest chapters in its history. Questions about aircraft maintenance, safety checks, and operational procedures are already being raised.
Boeing, too, finds itself under renewed scrutiny as this marks the first-ever fatal crash of a 787 Dreamliner in commercial service since its debut in 2011. Aviation experts worldwide are now closely watching, as the outcome of this investigation could significantly influence air safety policies across nations.
In the end, behind every number and headline are stories of students with dreams, families planning reunions, and lives intertwined by chance. The crash of Air India Flight AI 171 is more than a national tragedy; it’s a collective wound.
As the investigation continues and the nation mourns, one hope remains that from this devastation will come answers, accountability, and perhaps a renewed commitment to ensuring such a heartbreak never happens again.
