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One Survivor on Air India Flight That Crashed Near Ahmedabad Airport

Among those who died in the crash – which impacted those on board and on the ground in Ahmedabad – is former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani.
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The Wire Staff
Jun 12 2025
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Among those who died in the crash – which impacted those on board and on the ground in Ahmedabad – is former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani.
one survivor on air india flight that crashed near ahmedabad airport
Rescue operation underway after an Air India plane crashed near Ahmedabad airport, Thursday. Photo: PTI
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New Delhi: One passenger has survived out of 242 onboard the London-bound Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed near the Ahmedabad airport today, Ahmedabad police commissioner G.S. Malik confirmed, speaking to the media.

The passenger – Vishwas Kumar Ramesh – a British national, who was on seat 11A, told reporters that he leapt out of the emergency exit. He was admitted to the hospital where he is undergoing treatment.

“When I regained consciousness, there were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital,” said Ramesh, who was seen walking and still had his boarding pass on.

All other passengers and crew are feared dead.

Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, who was on the flight, is among those passengers killed in the crash, Union jal shakti minister and the state's BJP president C.R. Paatil has said.

The flight crashed in Meghaninagar, near the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, shortly after take-off.

Its crash impacted the hostel of the B.J. Medical College, where some students were reportedly killed and others suffered injuries.

Meanwhile, the exact number of casualties is still being ascertained. Speaking to some news outlets, city police chief G.S. Malik earlier in the day said 204 bodies were recovered.

Union civil aviation minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu said the government would conduct a “fair and thorough investigation”.

“We are not going to spare anyone. We are not going to leave any stone unturned. We will do properly according to the protocol and we are going to go to the depth of why this incident has happened,” he said when speaking to the media.

Here Are the Hotline and Emergency Numbers

Earlier, Union health minister J.P. Nadda said, in a post on X, that "many people" were killed.

The Gujarat police's control room, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) as well as Air India said there were 242 passengers on board the aircraft.

Visuals showed that the plane crashed into one of the buildings of the B.J. Medical College. According to the FAIMA Doctors Association, many MBBS students have been injured. The students were eating lunch when the plane crashed into the building.

"The way the plane crashed, it severely impacted the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital (B.J. Medical College) students' hostel, staff quarters and residential buildings. Many people there were injured. About 50 people were brought to the hospital and are undergoing treatment," a Gujarat government spokesperson told the press.

The spokesperson appealed to family members of people on board the ill-fated Air India plane to give DNA samples to help identify the deceased.

Gujarat-based news outlet Vibes of India reported that 20 undergraduate medical students of the B.J. Medical College were admitted to a civil hospital.

According to an NDTV report, at least five students have died.

The DGCA has said that the plane "crashed immediately after takeoff from Ahmedabad". A video shows the flight was airborne for little more than 30 seconds.

The directorate also confirmed that 242 people were on board, among them two pilots and ten cabin crew. The aircraft was under the command of captain Sumeet Sabharwal with first officer Clive Kundar.

It said that the flight had given a ‘mayday’ call to air traffic control (ATC) immediately after taking off, but that the ATC was not able to reconnect with it afterwards.

Air India has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information. It will release further information via regular updates on its X handle (https://x.com/airindia) and on http://airindia.com.

After an initial statement, Air India released a longer one, confirming that the Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1.38 pm, and was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, one a Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals.

In videos of the incident, plumes of heavy smoke can be seen rising from the Dharpur area near Meghaninagar. Some accounts say that the crash happened at the Forensic Cross Road.

People were also seen running away moments after the plane crashed.

The airport is operated by the Adani Group. Gautam Adani, in a post on X, said: "We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragedy of Air India Flight 171. Our hearts go out to the families who have suffered an unimaginable loss. We are working closely with all authorities and extending full support to the families on the ground."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has posted on X:

The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.

I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.

Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel posted on X that instructions were given to arrange a green corridor to transport injured passengers for treatment and to ensure all treatment arrangements in the hospital on priority.

“Home minister Amit Shah also communicated with me and assured full help of NDRF teams and Central Government for rescue and relief operations in this plane crash," Patel said, condoling the deaths.

Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, has also posted a message on X:

Shocked and devastated to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad.

We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action.

Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site.

My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.

Air India chairman N. Chandrasekaran has also expressed sorrow.

With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.

At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted.
Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. An emergency centre has been activated and support team have been set up for families seeking information.

Journalist Sheela Bhatt has posted a thread with footage captured by a local.

The airport was shut for operations following the crash. It is operational now with "limited flights".

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