Air India Flight Crash: 241 Killed in Tragic Boeing 787 Incident

In a devastating incident, Air India has confirmed that 241 people were killed when its London-bound flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on June 11, 2025. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was carrying a total of 242 passengers and crew members, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India in recent years.

The flight, which took off at 1:39 PM, issued a ‘Mayday’ distress call, indicating a full emergency just minutes after departure. Despite the crew’s efforts, the plane crashed shortly thereafter. Tragically, the crash also claimed the lives of several people on the ground, adding to the scale of the tragedy.

The passengers on board represented multiple nationalities. According to Air India, among the 230 passengers, there were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. In addition, the flight had 12 crew members, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew.

Among the deceased was Vijay Rupani, former Chief Minister of Gujarat and senior BJP leader, whose passing has shocked political circles and the nation. The sole survivor of the crash was identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, whose condition remains critical but stable as per the latest medical reports.

The ill-fated aircraft was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, an experienced pilot with 8,200 flying hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. Both pilots perished in the crash. Preliminary investigations have not yet confirmed the cause of the accident, though the distress call points to a serious emergency shortly after takeoff.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which crashed, was delivered to Air India in 2014, and had been in active service for over a decade. In response to the incident, Boeing issued a statement expressing condolences and confirming that it is in contact with Air India. The aircraft manufacturer added that it “stands ready to offer any support” to the Tata-owned airline during this difficult time.

The crash has also had immediate financial repercussions. Shares of Boeing fell by more than 4% on the day of the incident, reflecting investor concern amid rising scrutiny of aircraft safety and operational protocols.

As investigations proceed and global aviation authorities monitor developments, the focus remains on uncovering the root cause of the tragedy while supporting the families of those affected. The government and Air India have assured full cooperation with investigative agencies, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming days.