Air India confirms 241 deaths, one sole survivor in Ahmedabad plane crash

In a heartbreaking incident, Air India confirmed that 241 people died after one of its planes crashed in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, shortly after taking off. The only survivor was a British national of Indian origin who is now being treated in the hospital.

The crash happened on June 12, 2025, when Air India flight AI171 was flying from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. It was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and had 242 people onboard—230 passengers and 12 crew members. The airline confirmed this was a tragic accident and said they are working to help the families of the victims in every possible way.

What happened

According to the airline’s official statement, the flight left Ahmedabad airport at 1:38 PM. But just a few minutes later, the aircraft crashed into the BJ Medical College campus located nearby. The crash caused a huge fire as the aircraft exploded upon hitting the building.

The BJ Medical College is a large medical institution in Ahmedabad. When the plane crashed, it hit the boys' hostel building, where many students were present for lunch. As a result, the crash did not just affect those on the plane—it also caused death and injury among students and staff at the college.

According to the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), the crash led to the deaths of at least five MBBS students, one postgraduate resident doctor, and the wife of a senior doctor who was present at the hostel. In addition, more than 60 medical students were injured, some of them seriously.

Air India’s official statement

Here’s the full statement from Air India, released after the crash:

“Air India confirms that flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on 12 June 2025, was involved in an accident.

The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 13:38 hours, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew.

The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff. We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital.

The passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national. The survivor is a British national of Indian origin.

Air India offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of all those affected, their families and loved ones.

A team of caregivers from Air India is now in Ahmedabad to provide additional support. Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.

Air India has also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number: 1800 5691 444. Those calling from outside India can call on +91 8062779200.

Regular updates will continue on Air India’s X (formerly Twitter) handle and on airindia.com.”

Who was on board

The aircraft was an international flight headed for London, and the passengers represented different nationalities:

• 169 Indian nationals

• 53 British nationals

• 7 Portuguese nationals

• 1 Canadian national

The only survivor is said to be a British citizen with Indian roots. He is currently admitted to a local hospital in Ahmedabad for treatment. Doctors say his condition is stable but serious.

Medical college suffers massive loss

The BJ Medical College campus, where the plane crashed, has suffered heavy damage. The boys' hostel building, in particular, was almost completely destroyed by the impact and the fire that followed. It was lunchtime, and many students were present in the hostel when the plane hit.

According to FAIMA Vice President Dr. Divyansh Singh, many bodies recovered from the crash site were “completely burnt,” making identification difficult. The rescue teams are still searching the debris and fear that more people could be trapped under the remains of the building.

Singh said:

“As per the information I have received so far, the plane after losing its balance crashed over the boys' hostel building of BJ Medical College. And as it was lunchtime, most of the students and resident doctors were there for lunch.”

He added that the medical fraternity is in deep shock, and the incident has left the entire college grieving.

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Emergency response and rescue efforts

As soon as the crash occurred, emergency teams, including fire brigades, police, and disaster response forces, rushed to the scene. Firefighting operations were started immediately to control the massive flames. The wreckage of the plane was scattered across the hostel premises, and the fire made rescue operations extremely dangerous.

Dozens of ambulances transported the injured students and the sole survivor to nearby hospitals. The BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital also joined in the rescue operations. Doctors, nurses, and hospital staff worked around the clock to treat the injured.

The local authorities have sealed off the area and launched a full-scale investigation into the cause of the crash. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are working together to find out what led to the tragic incident.

The aircraft that crashed was a 12-year-old Boeing 787-8, a widely used long-haul airplane known for fuel efficiency and modern design. The aircraft had flown many international routes over the years. So far, no information has been shared about any technical fault or human error being the cause of the crash. But both Air India and government authorities have assured a full investigation.

Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, has also been informed. They are expected to send a technical team to assist in the investigation.

As the news spread, condolences poured in from all over India and other countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow and promised full support to the affected families. The British High Commission in India also shared their condolences and said they are in contact with Indian authorities to support families of the British nationals who were onboard.

Meanwhile, Air India has flown a special team to Ahmedabad to support survivors' families. The airline is also offering counselling and grief support services to all those affected.

Phone lines and support details

For families and loved ones seeking more information, Air India has shared these helpline numbers:

• From India: 1800 5691 444

• From outside India: +91 8062779200

The airline has also said that regular updates will be shared on its X handle (formerly Twitter) at https://x.com/airindia and on its website at http://airindia.com.

The loss of 241 lives in a single incident is one of the worst air disasters in India’s aviation history. With the crash also hitting a busy medical college hostel, the impact is even more tragic. The medical community has lost some of its young and bright future doctors, which is a huge blow to the country.

The investigation team is expected to release a preliminary report within the next few days. Until then, authorities are asking the public to avoid speculation and wait for official updates.