NewsGate Press Network

By Vineet Dikshit

It is perhaps the worst aviation tragedy that has struck India.

Fully loaded Boeing ‘s big 787 with 70-80 tons of fuel crashed within one minute after take-off not far from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon the 12th of June 2025

Miraculously only one passenger survived who was sitting on seat number 11A. The rest of the 242 passengers were burnt beyond recognition.

Authorities are conducting large scale DNA testing of the deceased passengers with their next of the kin.

The lone passenger who survived in fact walked to safety. He showed his boarding pass to the police officers and rescue teams who immediately put him inside the ambulance.

Among the passengers who perished included former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

The aircraft lost contact within minutes of takeoff and went down in the Meghani Nagar area.

Rescue operations were on. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were brought in from Gandhinagar.

The Air India flight, a Boeing Dreamliner 787, was turned into a huge fireball on impact in a densely populated area near the airport. Immediately after the crash, local residents rushed to the area to help with rescue efforts.

There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals on board. There were 12 crew members.

Air India in a post on X, said “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident 12 June 2025.” It said Air India continues to ascertain the details.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic crash. In a post on X, President Droupadi Murmu said she was “deeply distressed” to learn about the incident and called it a “heart-rending disaster.”

“I am deeply distressed to learn about the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. It is a heart-rending disaster. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected people. The nation stands with them in this hour of indescribable grief,” the President said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi while describing the tragedy as ‘heartbreaking beyond words,’ said ‘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.’