Air India Crash: 53 British Passengers Were Onboard

A London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (Flight AI 171) carrying 242 people, including 53 British nationals, tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025. It is the first-ever fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, shaking the aviation community and prompting global grief

Jun 12, 2025 - 18:38
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Air India Crash: 53 British Passengers Were Onboard
Air India Crash: 53 British Passengers Were Onboard

A London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (Flight AI 171) carrying 242 people, including 53 British nationals, tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025. It is the first-ever fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, shaking the aviation community and prompting global grief.

  • Flight AI 171 departed Ahmedabad for London Gatwick at 13:38 local time.

  • The aircraft crashed into a residential area near Meghani Nagar, close to the BJ Medical College hostel.

  • 242 onboard: 230 passengers, 12 crew.

  • Indians: 169

  • British: 53

  • Portuguese: 7

  • Canadian: 1

  • Police report no survivors; over 204 bodies recovered so far.

  • Rescue operations underway; investigations fast-tracked.

  • The aircraft reached approximately 625 ft, issued a mayday, then nose-dived into the hostel.

  • Black smoke and a fireball engulfed the crash site.

  • The tail cone was found lodged in the multi-storey hostel complex.

  • Rescue teams—including CISF, Ahmedabad Fire & Emergency, and Indian Army units—rushed to assist.

  • Air India confirmed 242 onboard, including 53 British nationals, 169 Indians, plus Portuguese and Canadian citizens.

  • Police have retrieved 204 bodies; the remainder are presumed perished.

  • Ground casualties are uncertain; some hostel occupants may have been affected.

  • DNA matching and further identifications are in progress.

  • UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the tragedy as “devastating” and promised full support.

  • King Charles III expressed being “desperately shocked,” extending condolences and acknowledging rescue efforts.

  • Canadian and Portuguese officials are offering consular assistance.

  • Indian PM Narendra Modi called the crash “heartbreaking beyond words,” coordinating relief efforts.

  • Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu launched an all-agency emergency response.

  • Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registration VT‑ANB, in service since 2014.

  • Fleet-wide, this marks the first fatal hull loss of a 787 since its entry into service.

  • Air India, now under the Tata Group's leadership, has established an emergency help center for families.

  • India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and DGCA have launched formal probes.

  • Boeing and GE Aerospace are operating technical assessment teams.

  • Investigators are focusing on:

  • Engine/system failures

  • Flap and slat configuration

  • Possible bird strike

  • Cockpit-based mayday signals

  • Preliminary factors to analyze include mayday recorded at 625 ft, flap positions, and flight recorder data (black box).

  • Search & recovery operations continue; the site remains sealed till all victims are identified.

  • Air accident investigators will present a preliminary report within weeks; the full Investigation may take months.

  • Security audits may extend to the 787 fleet and flight protocols globally.

The Air India Flight AI 171 disaster stands as one of the deadliest aviation tragedies in recent decades, marked by the first fatal Dreamliner crash and pronounced global impact, especially with 53 British nationals on board. As international aid arrives and investigations commence, the world mourns together.

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