Plane headed to London crashes into hostel, killing over 200
Flight AI171 to London crashes minutes after takeoff, slamming into medical college dormitory and leaving behind a scene of heartbreak and unanswered questions
Bold lead paragraph: A fully loaded Air India Dreamliner carrying 242 people crashed into a medical college dormitory shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, killing more than 200 and leaving a devastated community in shock.
It was supposed to be a routine long-haul flight. Air India Flight AI171 had taken off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Wednesday, June 12, bound for London Gatwick. Just minutes after takeoff, tragedy struck. The Boeing 787-8 lost altitude suddenly and crashed into the BJ Medical College doctors’ hostel in the Meghani Nagar area of Ahmedabad.
There were 230 passengers on board, including 11 children and 2 infants, along with 12 crew members. Among them were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian passenger.
The crash site was a nightmarish scene. The aircraft exploded upon impact, setting the building ablaze and scattering debris across the neighborhood. At the time, many medical students were inside the hostel, having lunch. Plates remained untouched on tables as the building filled with fire and smoke.
Local police and emergency responders rushed to the scene, rescuing those they could and recovering bodies from the wreckage. According to officials, over 204 bodies have been recovered so far, most of them charred beyond recognition. Several students on the ground also lost their lives, and many others were injured and taken to hospitals.
A single survivor
In a miraculous twist, one man survived. A 38-year-old British passenger, seated in row 11, managed to escape the burning wreckage by leaping through an emergency exit. He was taken to a local hospital and is recovering from his injuries. Authorities say he is the sole survivor from the plane.
The survivor reportedly told investigators that the cabin filled with smoke shortly after takeoff, and that the aircraft began to shake violently. His quick thinking and proximity to the emergency exit likely saved his life.
The world mourns
This crash marks one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India in recent years—and the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft entered service in 2011.
Leaders from around the world, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, King Charles III, and even Pope Francis, offered condolences. Air India and its parent company, Tata Group, have pledged ₹1 crore (about £86,000) in compensation to the families of the victims.
Gatwick-bound plane crashes in India with 242 on board
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— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) June 12, 2025
Searching for answers
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the crash. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), along with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and investigators from the UK and the United States, are examining flight data, cockpit recordings, and the aircraft’s maintenance history.
A mayday call was recorded just five minutes into the flight. Investigators are focusing on possible technical failures, including engine malfunction or a sudden loss of cabin pressure. Boeing and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are also involved in the probe.
Meanwhile, operations at the Ahmedabad airport were temporarily suspended but have since resumed under increased safety measures.
The crash of Air India Flight AI171 has shaken India and the global aviation community. For the families who lost loved ones, the pain is immeasurable. For the one survivor, life will never be the same.
As investigations continue, the world waits for answers—but nothing can undo the heartbreak. This tragedy reminds us how precious and fragile life is, and how important it is to keep pushing for safer skies.
