Ahmedabad is in shock. A major plane crash happened here on Thursday, June 12, 2025. An Air India flight, AI 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, heading for London Gatwick. But moments after it left the ground, something went terribly wrong. The plane lost altitude fast and then crashed into a medical college hostel in the Meghaninagar area.
The crash caused a huge fire. Black smoke filled the sky. Emergency teams, including fire engines, ambulances, and police, rushed to the scene. The damage is severe. The plane hit the hostel building, and parts of it are scattered around. The tail section of the aircraft is stuck on top of the building.
What we know so far about the passengers of Air India Flight AI 171 is general information about their nationalities and some individual names that have been reported by news outlets: * Total people on board: 242 (230 passengers, 12 crew members).
* Nationalities: 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national.
* Sole Survivor: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, aged 38. He was in seat 11A.
* Notable victims identified in initial reports:
* Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani: He was reportedly among the passengers who died.
* Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (pilot) and First Officer Clive Kundar (co-pilot).
* Ajay Kumar Ramesh: Brother of the sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.
* Akeel Nanabawa, Hannaa Vorajee, and their four-year-old daughter Sara Nanabawa: A British family from Gloucester.
* Adam Taju, Hasina Taju, and their son-in-law Altafhusen Patel: A family from London.
* Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek: A married British couple.
* Javed Syed and Mariam Syed and their two young children: A family from west London.
* Rachna and Rozar Christian: An Indian couple who lived in Auckland, New Zealand, and then moved to London.
* Yasha Kamdar, her one-and-a-half-year-old son Rudra Modha, and her mother-in-law Raksha Modha: A family from Nagpur, India, traveling to London for a funeral.
* Anju Sharma: A woman from Kurukshetra, India, traveling to meet her daughter in England.
* Nirali Sureshkumar Patel: The Canadian citizen who died in the crash.
* Some of the crew members, including two young women from Manipur.
The official, complete passenger list will likely be released by Air India or the investigating authorities once all identifications are confirmed and next of kin have been informed. For the most accurate and updated information, please refer to official statements from Air India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), or the Indian government. They are also utilizing DNA testing for identification of the victims.
In a rare and unbelievable turn, only one person survived the crash. This person is a British national of Indian origin, identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. He was seated in row 11A. He was thrown from the plane and is now being treated at the Civil Hospital. His condition is being closely watched.
The crash also affected people on the ground. The plane hit the BJ Medical College hostel. At least five medical students who were having lunch in their mess area were killed. Many others were injured. Some are in critical condition. Rescue workers are still searching through the debris, fearing more people might be buried.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sadness over the tragedy. He called it “heartbreaking beyond words.” He visited Ahmedabad today, Friday, June 13, 2025. He went to the crash site to see the situation for himself. He also visited the Civil Hospital to meet the injured, including the lone survivor.
The Prime Minister held a meeting with top officials to review the situation. He assured everyone that the government would provide all necessary support to those affected. Air India has announced compensation of ₹1 crore to the families of those who died.
An investigation has started to find out what caused this crash. Both American and British investigation teams are helping the Indian inquiry. Air Traffic Control at Ahmedabad airport said the pilot made a “Mayday” call, which means a full emergency, just before contact was lost. The black box, which contains flight data and cockpit voice recordings, has been recovered from the crash site. This will be key to understanding why this terrible accident happened.
This is a time of immense sorrow for Ahmedabad and the whole country. People are coming together to support the victims’ families. The focus now is on identifying the victims, providing help to their families, and finding out exactly what led to this devastating event.
