Prime Highlights
- Air India’s AI-171 crashes in an Ahmedabad residential area just minutes after its departure with 242 passengers.
- Gujarat Ex-CM Vijay Rupani reported to be feared dead; confirmation pending.
Key Facts
- It is the first ever fatal accident of a Boeing 787 and Air India’s first major crash since 1985.
- The aircraft lost contact five minutes after it departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
Key Background
On June 12, 2025, it was a disaster air accident when London-bound Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crash-landed in Ahmedabad’s residential complex Meghani Nagar just a few minutes from takeoff. 230 passengers and 12 crew members, two pilots included, were on board. The flight took off around 1:38 PM IST and disappeared with air traffic control less than five minutes after departure.
Among the passengers on the bus was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was listed on the official passenger manifest. While officials have not yet said he is dead, initial reports from emergency workers and political leaders suggest that he is among the fatalities. Witnesses reported seeing a “very loud explosion” followed by intense smoke and fire sweeping through parts of the crowded district.
This is a dark record for Air India and Boeing alike, as the first deadly accident to happen to a Boeing 787 after it entered commercial service. This is also Air India’s most fatal air tragedy in close to four decades. Preliminary reports indicated likely mechanical failure or loss of engine thrust soon after takeoff, but the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have initiated a formal inquiry.
Rescue and relief efforts were promptly mobilized. Emergency medical assistance, fire fighting teams, and victim evacuation routes were set up by the Gujarat state government and the Union Civil Aviation Department. Prime Minister and other country leaders condoled and demanded an unbiased inquiry. Air India personnel announced that they are in direct communication with grief-stricken families and provided full support, including compensation and logistical support.
The tragic loss has sent the nation into mourning, especially in light of having a seasoned political leader like Vijay Rupani, whose public service shaped Gujarat’s leadership for five years.
