On June 12, 2025, tragedy struck when Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport, bound for London Gatwick. The flight, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carried 242 people on board, including passengers and crew.
In a devastating turn of events, only one person survived the crash. This incident has become one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s modern history involving a commercial aircraft.
Total Onboard
- Passengers and Crew: 242
- Survivors: 1
- Fatalities: 241
The lone survivor was identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin. He was seated near the front of the aircraft and was rescued alive, albeit seriously injured. Medical personnel reported that he sustained trauma to his chest, face, and foot but remained conscious and responsive when discovered.
The Crash
Flight 171 took off from Ahmedabad but crashed within less than a minute of becoming airborne. Reports indicate that the aircraft failed to gain proper altitude and lost contact with air traffic control at around 625 feet. Moments later, it crashed into a densely populated neighborhood, triggering explosions and a large fire.
Preliminary investigations point to a possible mechanical failure or misconfigured aircraft systems during takeoff, though the exact cause remains under review.
Aftermath and Rescue
Emergency services responded rapidly to the disaster scene. Despite the intensity of the wreckage and fire, rescue teams managed to pull the lone survivor from the debris and transport him to a local hospital. No other survivors were found.
A Tragic Record
This marks the first-ever fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model introduced in 2011 and known for its safety record. It also stands as one of the most catastrophic events in Indian civil aviation history due to the high number of fatalities.
In Summary
Out of 242 individuals on Air India Flight 171, only one survived the crash in June 2025. The survivor’s story is being hailed as a miracle amid an otherwise heartbreaking tragedy. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the disaster as families mourn and the country reflects on a dark day in aviation.
