NATIONAL: Air India Crash in Gujarat: Government Claims 275 Lives
Incident Overview
On June 12, 2025, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight 171 to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The catastrophic incident resulted in 275 fatalities, including 241 passengers and 34 local residents.
Casualty Details
The Gujarat Health Department confirmed that 120 men, 124 women, and 16 children perished in the crash. The plane struck a medical student hostel at B.J. Medical College, contributing to the ground casualties.
Survivor and Recovery Efforts
Remarkably, one passenger in seat 11A survived the disaster, the sole survivor among the 242 onboard. Authorities have recovered all bodies, with ongoing efforts to clear debris from the crash site for the third consecutive day.
Identification Process
DNA testing has identified 260 victims, with six others identified through facial recognition. The Gujarat Health Department has handed over 256 bodies to families, with identification of the remaining victims in progress.
Black Box Investigation
Union Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu refuted claims that the aircraft’s black box was sent abroad, confirming it remains in India. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is conducting a comprehensive probe, analyzing the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder.
Investigative Collaboration
The AAIB is leading the investigation with support from experts in the UK, US, and Boeing representatives. The black box analysis is a critical step in determining the cause of the crash, which remains under scrutiny.
Ongoing Response
The Gujarat government and AAIB continue to address the aftermath, focusing on victim identification and crash analysis. The tragedy has prompted widespread mourning and heightened scrutiny of aviation safety protocols.