Air India Plane Crash: Death Toll Rises to 270 in Ahmedabad Tragedy
AHMEDABAD, INDIA – The grim toll from Thursday’s tragic Air India Flight AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad has tragically risen to 270, as search and recovery efforts continue at the devastating site. The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed into a medical college hostel complex minutes after takeoff, claiming the lives of nearly all on board and a significant number of individuals on the ground.
The accident, which occurred on Thursday, June 12, 2025, involved a 12-year-old Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew, went down shortly after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Preliminary reports indicate 241 people on board the aircraft perished, along with at least 29 others on the ground, including medical students within the hostel complex. Miraculously, one passenger from the flight, identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survived and is currently recovering in the Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad.
Dr. Dhaval Gameti at Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital confirmed on Saturday that the facility had received 270 bodies from the crash site. The extensive damage to the bodies, many of which were charred or mutilated, has necessitated DNA matching for identification. Hundreds of distraught relatives have provided DNA samples, enduring a painful wait for the formal identification and release of their loved ones’ remains. Authorities have stated that the DNA matching process typically takes up to 72 hours, and efforts are being expedited. As of Sunday, some victims’ remains have begun to be identified and handed over to families.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a full-scale investigation into the crash. On Friday, investigators successfully recovered the plane’s digital flight data recorder, commonly known as the “black box,” from a rooftop near the crash site. This crucial device is expected to provide vital clues regarding the cause of the accident. A second black box, the cockpit voice recorder, has also been discovered.
In response to the disaster, the Indian government has formed a high-level, multi-disciplinary committee to examine the causes leading to the crash and to formulate procedures for preventing and handling future aircraft emergencies. Furthermore, Indian Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu announced on Saturday that Air India’s entire fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft is undergoing enhanced safety inspections, with eight of India’s 34 Dreamliners already inspected.
The incident marks the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its commercial debut in 2011. While the exact cause remains unclear, aviation experts are speculating on various possibilities, including issues with wing flap settings, engine power loss, and alarms in the cockpit. Boeing has stated it is working to gather more information and assist with the investigation.
The crash has sent shockwaves across India and internationally, with leaders expressing profound grief. The Tata Group, parent company of Air India, has pledged 1 crore or 10 million rupees (approximately $116,795) to the families of each person who lost their life in the tragedy, and will also cover medical expenses for the injured. Grief counselors are also being assigned to assist the victims’ families.