By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com

AHMEDABAD, India – A London-bound Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Flight AI-171, crashed in a residential area of Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12, 2025, just minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The devastating incident has resulted in a soaring death toll, with authorities confirming at least 241 fatalities on board and an additional 29 to 33 deaths on the ground, bringing the total confirmed fatalities to at least 270 people.

The tragedy is compounded by the harrowing fact that there was only one survivor from the flight: Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin. Reports indicate Ramesh, who was seated in seat 11A, was remarkably thrown clear of the immediate impact and fiery wreckage, later seen limping from the crash site before being taken to Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. Doctors confirm he is disoriented with multiple injuries but is out of danger and expected to be discharged soon. He has reportedly recounted his miraculous escape, stating he “just walked out” and managed to push aside an emergency exit door. Ramesh was traveling with his brother, who perished in the crash.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a modern wide-body aircraft, was heavily fueled for its long-haul journey to London Gatwick Airport, contributing to the intensity of the explosion and fire upon impact. The plane plummeted into a medical college hostel and nearby residential structures, causing widespread destruction. Among the ground casualties were several medical students who were reportedly gathered for lunch at a cafeteria. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also confirmed among the deceased passengers.

As rescue and recovery teams continue to scour the extensive debris field, families of the victims face an agonizing wait. The severity of the crash has left most bodies either charred or severely mutilated, rendering visual identification nearly impossible. Authorities are heavily relying on DNA matching to identify the remains.

As of Monday, June 16, DNA matching for 92 body remains has been completed, corresponding to 87 individuals (due to some duplication of samples). However, only 33 bodies have so far been formally handed over to grieving relatives for burial. Frustration is mounting among families, who have been camping outside the Civil Hospital, desperate for information and the return of their loved ones. They express anguish over the slow pace of identification and a perceived lack of consistent communication from authorities. Officials acknowledge the painstaking nature of DNA identification, stating it often takes up to 72 hours for a match. Forensic experts are reportedly working around the clock, with 12 teams conducting DNA testing in shifts.

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a full investigation into the crash, with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and British investigators. The flight data recorder (black box) was successfully recovered from a rooftop near the crash site, which is expected to provide crucial insights into the final moments of Flight AI-171. Forensic teams are still searching for the second black box.

While the cause of the crash remains undetermined, investigators are reportedly examining factors such as correct wing flap settings, engine power, cockpit alarms, and the accurate logging of environmental data (like temperature) and aircraft weight. In the wake of the disaster, India’s Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu announced that Air India has been ordered to conduct additional safety checks on its entire fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft as a precautionary measure.

This incident marks the first fatal crash for a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model that has been in operation for 16 years with a strong safety record. The tragedy has cast a somber light on aviation safety and brought renewed scrutiny to airline operations, particularly as Air India had been undergoing a turnaround after returning to private ownership in 2022. The emotional toll on the families, the challenges of identifying victims, and the ongoing investigation will continue to dominate headlines as India grapples with one of its worst aviation disasters in decades.