A tragedy of immeasurable depth … and a miracle, is how the crash of Air India Flight 171 will be remembered

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(Updated June 13, 2025)

One survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, in seat 11A, a British national, seemed to rise from the dead, walking away miraculously unscathed from the destruction surrounding him as Air India Flight 171, crashed to the ground killing the remaining 241 passengers including 12 crew members, as well as an estimated 24 people on the ground. Air India said that among the 230 passengers, 169 were Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese and one Canadian national.

The Boeing 787-8 rammed into a nearby doctors’ hostel shortly after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, July 12, afternoon India time, cutting short the lives and aspirations of hundreds of adults, whole families, and children on the plane, and also leaving scores injured or dead on the ground.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted his thoughts on X, “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.”

India’s President Droupadi Murmu also expressed deep sorrow on X:.
“I am deeply distressed to learn about the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. It is a heartrending disaster. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected people. The nation stands with them in this hour of indescribable grief.”

In remarks at the White House, President Donald Trump called the crash “terrible” and “horrific”, The Washington Post reported. “I let them know that anything we can do, we’ll be over there immediately,” he said.

At a media briefing June 12, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, expressed deep condolences, saying, “What has happened in Ahmedabad is a very tragic accident. We have lost a lot of people. We extend our deepest condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones.”

Speaking to ANI on a phone call, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik said, “The police found one survivor in seat 11A. He has been in the hospital and is under
treatment,” adding that total deaths were not known at that time especially as the plane crashed in a residential area.

“After the takeoff, the plane crashed here and after a preliminary enquiry, we got to
know that the … plane crashed into a building, which is a doctors’ hostel,” Jaipal
Singh Rathore, Joint Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad, told reporters.

Air India also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number, 1800 5691 444, to provide more information. In its statement, Air India said it is giving its full
cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident. The Ahmedabad City Police released an Emergency for inquiries and information related to the plane crash – . 07925620359.

The aircraft was under the command of Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer
Clive Kundar. Capt. Sabharwal is an LTC with 8,200 hours of experience. The copilot had 1,100 hours of flying experience.

As per Air Traffic Control, the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Aircraft immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter.

US, WORLD LEADERS RESPOND

United Kingdom’s Prime minister Keir Starmer on Thursday said his thoughts were with the passengers and families of those on the Air India flight bound for Gatwick which crashed in Ahmedabad. “The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating,” he said in a post on X.

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted his message: “Heartbroken to hear the news of a tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. My prayers are with all who lost their loved ones in tis horrible incident. We continue to monitor developments and stand with the emergency responders working to help those impacted.”

“I am heartbroken by today’s Air India crash in Ahmedabad and want to express my deepest condolences to all those around the world touched by this tragedy. There must be a full investigation to provide answers and prevent such tragedies from happening again,” said Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois.

“My heart goes out to everyone impacted by the horrible, heartbreaking plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. I’m praying for the victims and their families, and everyone mourning in the wake of this tragedy,” US Senator Charles Schumer, D-NY, said.

Following the plane crash, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have expressed sadness over the incident and said that their sympathies are with those affected by it.

“We have learned with deep emotion of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. In
this time of sorrow, I extend our heartfelt thoughts to the victims’ loved ones and to Prime Minister @NarendraModi,” Macron posted on X.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolences to PM Modi and
President Droupadi Murmu, saying, “Esteemed Mrs President, Esteemed Mr Prime Minister, Please accept the deepest condolences over the tragic consequences of a passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad. Kindly convey the words of sincere sympathy and support to the families and near ones of the victims, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all those injured in this catastrophe.”

Australia’s Anthony Albanese, in a post on X, said, “The news of a passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad is absolutely devastating. In this time of tragedy, Australia’s thoughts are with everyone affected. Our government is receiving regular updates and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.”

JOINT INVESTIGATION 

Reuters reported the following steps being taken soon after the crash –

Boeing said it was in contact with Air India and working to gather more information. Boeing shares fell 5% as the crash posed a major setback for the plane-maker as its new CEO looks to rebuild trust following a series of safety and production challenges.

Aircraft engine-maker GE Aerospace said that it would put a team together to go to India and analyse cockpit data, India’s CNBC TV18 reported.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board said it would lead a team of U.S. investigators travelling to India to help in the investigation.

Britain was working with Indian authorities to urgently establish the facts around the crash and to provide support to those involved, the country’s foreign office said.

Passenger list for the Air India flight that crashed is on this link – https://youtube.com/shorts/nSIqEtmzmXk?si=BEPSLH_Ub8nmTPEz

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