At least 241 people killed in deadly Air India crash | Hook News Brief

Hook News Brief | 13.06.25

An Air India flight bound for London crashed shortly after taking off in Ahmedabad killing almost everyone on board along with a few fatalities on the ground.

Air India in a post on X confirmed that flight AI171, a 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025 crashed shortly after taking-off at 1338 hrs.

The cause of the crash is unclear and is being investigated.

The plane was carrying 242 onboard, including 230 passengers and 12 crew. Of this, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor, passenger in seat number 11A, is being treated in a hospital.

Officials warned the death toll could rise marking India's worst aviation disaster in 30 years.

Visuals show the aircraft flying low and struggling to gain altitude as it then ploughs into the BJ Medical College hostel around their lunch hour. Reports suggest at least five students were killed and several dozens injured, some critical.

The aircraft which carried almost a full load of 125,000 litres of fuel exploded into a huge fireball upon impact leading to the high number of fatalities.

Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union Minister of Civil Aviation posted on X that “a formal investigation has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)”. He added that the “Government is constituting a high-level committee comprising experts from multiple disciplines to examine the matter in detail”.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in a statement said the aircraft, piloted by captain Sumeet Sabharwal and first officer Clive Kundar made a mayday call just before the crash.

Reports suggest that they had 8,200 hours and 1,100 hours of experience respectively.

N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, who own Air India, posted on X that they “will provide ₹1 crore to the families of each person who has lost their life in this tragedy”. Furthermore, they will also cover the medical expenses of those injured and “ensure that they receive all necessary care and support” and “provide support in the building up of the BJ Medical's hostel”.

Air India said the passengers included 169 Indians, 53 British, 7 Portuguese and one Canadian.

Thursday's incident was the first fatal crash involving a 787 Dreamliner, first introduced in 2011.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Acting Federal Aviation Administration head Chris Rocheleau confirmed they have not seen any immediate safety data that would require halting Boeing 787 flights.

They also said that a team is being dispatched to India.

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