Air India Plane Crash: 241 dead, lone survivor
The plane, owned by Tata Group, was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
KATHMANDU: An Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft bound for London crashed just two minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon, killing 241 of the 242 people on board, including crew members.
According to Indian authorities, the aircraft took off at 2:38 PM local time and crashed at 2:40 PM, erupting into a massive fireball shortly after it lost altitude.
The plane, owned by Tata Group, was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited the crash site, confirmed that only one person survived the deadly accident. “I spoke with the sole survivor,” Shah told reporters. “He is a British citizen of Indian origin and is currently undergoing treatment.”
The deceased include 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, one Portuguese, and one Canadian. Former Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani, was among those who lost their lives, according to Indian media reports.
UPDATE: Air India confirms that flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on 12 June 2025, was involved in an accident.
The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew.
The aircraft crashed shortly…
— Air India (@airindia) June 12, 2025
The only survivor has been identified as Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, seated in 11A during the flight. He is being treated for severe injuries.
Tata Group has announced a compensation of ₹1 crore (approximately USD 120,000) for the families of each deceased passenger.
We are deeply anguished by the tragic event involving Air India Flight 171.
No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and with those who have been injured.
Tata Group will…
— Tata Group (@TataCompanies) June 12, 2025
Additionally, the company has pledged to cover the full medical expenses of the lone survivor and rebuild homes damaged by the crash.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
