Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — An Air India flight en route from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The incident has claimed at least 279 lives, according to Indian police officials.
According to AFP, The updated death toll, released Saturday (June 14) by a police source on condition of anonymity, marks a rise from the previously reported 265 fatalities.
The crash is now considered the deadliest aviation disaster of the 21st century.
The aircraft, type Boeing 787 Dreamliner went down in a residential zone in Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad, just moments after liftoff. The aircraft crashed into the BJ Medical College building, which housed resident doctors
The plane had 242 people on board, including 232 passengers and 10 crew members. Among the passenger, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian
The incident occurred between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. local time. Preliminary data suggests the plane reached an altitude of approximately 625 feet before it plummeted suddenly. The pilot reportedly issued a mayday call, but no further communication was made with air traffic control after the initial distress signal.
A 59-second video captured the aircraft taking off from runway 23 and remaining airborne for just 32 seconds before crashing into a residential zone.
Authorities confirmed that only one passenger survived the crash. Meanwhile 38 others were killed on the ground when the plane crashed into BJ Medical College building.
The tragedy was the first fatal incident involving the 787-8 Dreamliner since its commercial debut in 2011.
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The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether mechanical failure, human error, or another factor was responsible.
One of the aircraft’s two black boxes has been recovered, and search operations for the second are ongoing.
Air India announced it would provide 10 million rupees (approximately $120,000 USD) in compensation to the families of each deceased passenger.
The airline’s parent company, Tata Group, said it would also cover medical costs for the injured and fund repairs to the damaged BJ Medical College facility.
“We are deeply grieved by the tragic event involving Air India Flight 171. There are no words to adequately express the sorrow we feel,” said Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran.
(Raidi/Agung)
