All 242 Dead in Air India Boeing 787 Crash Near Ahmedabad

      Rescue workers at the charred wreckage of the Air India Boeing 787 in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar neighbourhood.

All 242 Dead in Air India Boeing 787 Crash Near Ahmedabad

​​By M Muzamil Shami - June 12, 2025

All 242 Dead in Air India Boeing 787 Crash Near Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, India (June 12, 2025) — A tragic Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing everyone onboard and several on the ground in the Meghani Nagar neighborhood. The flight, AI 171 bound for London Gatwick, issued a mayday call before disappearing from radar. It marks the first fatal crash involving a 787 Dreamliner since its 2011 debut. Authorities are retrieving bodies, investigating causes, and assisting families amid global shock.

Incident Overview

1. Flight & Plane: AI 171, Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registered VT‑ANB), en route Ahmedabad to London Gatwick

2. Occupants: 242 onboard (217 adults, 11 children, 2 infants); nationalities include Indian, British, Portuguese, Canadian

3. Crash Location: Impacted doctors’ hostel near airport perimeter in Meghani Nagar during lunch hour, causing fatalities on the ground

4. Casualties: No survivors onboard; at least five medical students died; 204 bodies recovered so far; others dividing between onboard and on-ground victims

Rescue & Response

Emergency Teams Rush In

Seven fire engines, NDRF, BSF and local responders extinguished fires and rescued victims from the charred crash zone .

Airport Shut Down & Family Support

All flights suspended; a family help centre was established by Air India and the DGCA to support relatives of victims

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Air India 787 Crash Kills All 242 Onboard in Ahmedabad Tragedy

National & Global Reactions

India’s Leadership Speaks

Prime Minister Modi described the crash as “heartbreaking beyond words.” Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu ordered swift and coordinated response .

International Condolences

UK PM Keir Starmer called the scenes “devastating,” and Buckingham Palace confirmed King Charles is being kept informed .

Cause & Investigation

First Fatal Boeing 787 Crash

This is the first-ever fatal hull loss of a Dreamliner. Boeing and GE Aviation are part of the investigation team alongside India’s DGCA

Mayday Call & ATC Silence

The cockpit issued a mayday seconds after liftoff at ~625 ft, and radar contact ceased immediately afterward

Why This Matters

1. Air Safety Alarm: A massive loss of life in the first Dreamliner crash shakes confidence in modern aircraft.

2. Ground Casualties: Residents were killed in a densely populated area, raising urban flight safety concerns.

3. Global Aviation Shockwave: International regulators, airlines, and passengers are watching closely as Boeing’s flagship jet faces its most serious crisis yet.

FAQs:

Q1: How many died aboard flight AI 171?
A1: 242 occupants—all passengers and crew—perished, along with at least five medical students on the ground.

Q2: Which aircraft crashed?
A2: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, tail number VT‑ANB, delivered in 2014.

Q3: What triggered the crash?
A3: The cause is unknown. A mayday call and flight data are under forensic review by Boeing, GE Aerospace, and India’s DGCA.

Q4: Has another Boeing 787 ever crashed fatally?
A4: No—this marks the first fatal hull loss of any Boeing 787 since entering service in 2011

What do you think—did a mechanical fault or pilot error cause the crash? Comment below!
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