On June 12, 2025, tragedy struck shortly after takeoff when Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 en route from Ahmedabad, India, to London, crashed just minutes into its flight. The plane lost communication with air traffic control at just 625 feet and issued a desperate Mayday call before plummeting into a dormitory at a local medical college.

Of the 244 people onboard—232 passengers and 12 crew—241 were killed. The sole survivor, British citizen Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, miraculously escaped the wreckage with injuries and is now recovering.

The passengers were primarily Indian and British nationals. Among the dead was veteran pilot Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had been nearing retirement and issued the final distress signal.

Rescue teams rushed to the scene, and authorities are now investigating the cause, including the possibility of mechanical failure or a bird strike. The airport remains closed during the ongoing inquiry.

Heartbreaking stories continue to emerge, including that of Bhoomi Chauhan, a student who missed the flight due to traffic—an unexpected twist that saved her life.

The crash has shaken families across India and beyond. Leaders in both India and the United Kingdom have offered condolences as both nations grieve this overwhelming loss.