an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner (VT-ANB) operating Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025. According to initial reports, 241 passengers and crew are feared dead, with only one survivor rescued from the wreckage.
The crash occurred just minutes after the aircraft lifted off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Emergency response teams rushed to the crash site near the outskirts of the city.
Flight Manifest: Global Casualties
Onboard were a total of 231 passengers and 10 crew members. The passengers included:
- 169 Indian nationals
- 53 British nationals
- 7 Portuguese citizens
- 1 Canadian national
The identities of the deceased are being verified. The sole survivor, a 32-year-old Indian national, is undergoing treatment at a government hospital and remains in critical condition.
Tata Group Announces ₹1 Crore Compensation
In a swift and compassionate move, Tata Group, which owns Air India, announced ₹1 crore in financial compensation for each bereaved family.
N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, issued a statement:
“We are deeply grieved by this national tragedy. Air India is committed to providing full support to the families affected and will cooperate fully with authorities during the investigation.”
He also confirmed that a crisis response center has been activated and grief counselors have been dispatched to aid the families of victims.
Emergency Measures and Official Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and called the incident “a dark day for India’s aviation history.” He assured the public that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will conduct a full investigation into the cause of the crash.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has rushed to Ahmedabad and is coordinating relief and recovery operations.
The black box and cockpit voice recorder have been recovered and sent to the DGCA’s technical lab for analysis.
Ground Reports: Eyewitness Accounts
Locals near the crash site reported seeing the aircraft engulfed in flames and heard a loud explosion before it hit the ground.
“It was terrifying. We saw smoke billowing. We ran to the field and saw debris everywhere,” said a resident of Chandkheda, where the wreckage was found.
Grief Across Nations
Several embassies, including those of the UK, Portugal, and Canada, have been notified. The British High Commission in Delhi said it is working closely with Indian officials to offer consular support to the families of the 53 British victims.
World leaders including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed sorrow and solidarity via official statements.
This incident echoes past aviation disasters, such as the Mangalore crash in 2010. Experts have raised questions about the airworthiness of Boeing 787 jets and Air India’s operational protocols. For more on Air India’s previous safety records, visit the DGCA official site.
What’s Next
A judicial inquiry is expected to be launched, while Air India has suspended all international departures temporarily as a precaution. The airline has also offered free rescheduling and full refunds to all passengers affected by schedule disruptions.
Families of those onboard can contact the Air India helpline at 1800-180-1407 for verified updates and support.
For live updates, stay tuned to official Air India social channels and Ministry of Civil Aviation India.
