A devastating tragedy struck on Thursday afternoon (June 12, 2025), as an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 241 of the 242 people on board. The flight carried both passengers and crew, with only one miraculous survivor emerging from the wreckage.
Air India has officially confirmed the grim toll. Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose presence on the flight added to the national shock.
Shortly after the aircraft lifted off, pilots reportedly issued a “Mayday” distress signal, indicating a severe in-flight emergency. However, there was no further communication with Air Traffic Control, and the plane went down within minutes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site in Ahmedabad late Thursday evening and later met the injured survivor at the hospital. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who accompanied him, briefed the media following their visit. “The sheer magnitude of the explosion, combined with over 1.25 lakh litres of aviation fuel and extreme heat, made any rescue impossible,” Shah stated solemnly.
The only person to survive the horrific crash was identified as Vishwaskumar Ramesh, who was seated in A11. He was reportedly travelling to London with his brother, who unfortunately did not survive. Vishwaskumar remains under critical observation, and his survival is being described by medical experts as nothing short of a miracle.
