Air India Flight AI171 Crash: One Survivor, Hundreds Dead

When we board a plane, especially for long international trips, we do not expect anything to go wrong within seconds of takeoff. But on 12 June 2025, that is exactly what happened to Air India Flight AI171, a regular service from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, which ended in tragedy.

With 269 lives lost, including people on the ground, this has become one of the most heartbreaking aviation incidents in recent memory. Against all odds, however, one person survived.

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One survivor in the middle of heartbreak

Image credit: GMA News | FB page

Just 30 seconds after takeoff, the Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner crashed into a medical college hostel in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar area. The impact caused a massive explosion, as the aircraft was still fully loaded with fuel. Flames quickly spread through the building, and emergency responders raced to reach anyone who might still be alive.

Sadly, 241 people on board died in the crash. Even more devastating was the loss of 28 people on the ground, many of whom were young medical students living in the hostel. The total death toll now stands at 269.

In the middle of this unimaginable loss, there was a single miracle. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 29-year-old British Indian passenger seated in 11A, survived. He was seated beside an emergency exit. According to early reports, he managed to force the door open and jump out just before the fire took over. He escaped with only minor injuries and is now recovering in hospital. While most of us cannot begin to understand how he survived, his story is a reminder of how fragile yet powerful the human will to live can be.

What went wrong?

Image credit: GMA News | FB page

The crash has triggered an international investigation. Aviation authorities from India, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Boeing are now working together to determine the cause of the accident. One of the black boxes has already been recovered and is being analysed.

Although the full report will take time, early findings suggest the aircraft’s landing gear may have remained extended during takeoff. This could have affected the aircraft’s ability to gain altitude. Experts have warned that it may take several months before a clear explanation is confirmed.

The aircraft involved had been flying for more than 11 years and had recently served routes to destinations including Paris, Tokyo, and Sydney. This incident marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and it is currently considered the deadliest commercial aviation accident globally in more than a decade.

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A reminder for travellers

Here in the Philippines, many of us travel abroad for work, studies, or to reunite with loved ones. Others save up for dream trips to new destinations. Travelling by air remains one of the safest forms of transport, but events like this remind us that it is important to stay aware and prepared each time we fly.

Even the smallest steps can help. Read the safety card before takeoff. Locate your nearest exit. Choose comfortable clothing and footwear when flying. These simple choices can make a difference, even if we never expect to need them.

More than anything, this tragedy reminds us that every seat number belongs to a real person. Someone with a family, a story, and dreams of their own. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives on AI171, both in India and around the world.

As we continue to plan our next holidays and bucket-list trips, may we travel with more care and gratitude. Not just for the places we are going, but for every safe takeoff and landing that brings us home again.