Air India Flight AI171 Crash: Boeing 787 Bursts into Flames in Ahmedabad’s Meghaninagar

Air India Flight AI171 Crashes in Ahmedabad, Engulfing Meghaninagar in Flames

A catastrophic aviation tragedy struck Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12, 2025, when Air India Flight AI171, a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed into a building in the Meghaninagar area near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, moments after takeoff. The aircraft, carrying 242 people—232 passengers and 10 crew members—erupted into a fireball with a deafening bang, sending thick black smoke spiraling into the sky.

The crash, which occurred around 2 p.m., shocked the nation as eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos and devastation. “It felt like an earthquake,” said a local resident who rushed to the crash site, where bodies and debris were strewn across the area, shrouded in a layer of thick smoke. Another witness, at home during the incident, recounted, “I was at home when we heard a massive sound. When we went out to see what had happened, there was a layer of thick smoke in the air.” The plane was seen from afar losing altitude rapidly before slamming into the building in a ball of fire.

Air India confirmed that the ill-fated flight, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, had 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, and one Canadian on board. While eyewitnesses reported multiple fatalities, authorities have yet to provide official confirmation on the number of casualties or injuries.

Emergency services, including fire engines, ambulances, and police units, were swiftly deployed to the crash site to conduct rescue operations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an investigation into the cause of the crash, which marks the first recorded incident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its introduction in 2011. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has suspended all flight operations until further notice.

The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief and condolences from leaders and citizens across India and beyond, as rescue efforts continue in the hope of saving lives amidst the wreckage.