Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 — A tragic aviation disaster struck India when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed just two minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 270 people. The aircraft, operating Flight AI-216, lost control shortly after liftoff at 1:39 PM and slammed into the nearby BJ Medical College complex, triggering fires and widespread devastation.
Out of the 242 passengers and crew on board, only one person miraculously survived. The crash also claimed 29 lives on the ground, including medical students and faculty members who were in the complex at the time.
The death toll makes it the deadliest plane crash in India in over a decade, prompting national mourning and a swift emergency response. The wreckage scattered across the medical college campus complicated rescue efforts. Several buildings were damaged, and multiple fires broke out.
DNA Identification Underway
According to Dr. Rakesh Joshi, Medical Superintendent at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, 163 victims have so far been identified using DNA analysis, with 124 bodies returned to families. He acknowledged the emotional toll on both relatives and medical staff, as many bodies were burnt beyond recognition or severely mutilated, making identification a time-consuming process.
“We have 71 injured victims who were brought in after the crash,” said Dr. Joshi. “Nine are still under treatment, while two others died during medical care.” The remaining injured are in stable or recovering condition, he added.
DNA profiling for all the deceased is expected to be completed by June 18, after which the remaining bodies will be returned to families.
Clarifying MBBS Student Rumors
In the aftermath of the crash, rumors circulated that more students from BJ Medical College, which is linked to the crash site, had died. Dr. Joshi clarified that only four MBBS students had died, and no additional student deaths had occurred beyond that count.
“There’s a lot of misinformation on social media,” he said. “I want to clarify that two doctors also died—one who was traveling on the flight and another who was visiting his sister at the medical hostel when the crash occurred.”
Investigation & Relief Efforts
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Initial reports suggest a technical malfunction shortly after takeoff, but authorities have not ruled out other possibilities, including pilot error or external interference.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a full investigation in collaboration with Boeing engineers, the Airport Authority of India, and air traffic control officials. Black box recovery is underway, and both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder are expected to yield insights into the final moments of the ill-fated flight.
In the meantime, disaster response teams, forensic scientists, and trauma counselors have been deployed across Ahmedabad to help with recovery and psychological support for families.
A Nation in Mourning
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was attending an event in Gujarat on the same day, expressed deep condolences, calling the event “a national tragedy.” Flags across India were lowered to half-mast, and a statewide day of mourning was declared in Gujarat.
Families gathered outside hospitals and morgues, many still waiting for confirmation about their loved ones. “We just want to bring our daughter home,” said one grieving father, his voice trembling.
As the nation watches with heavy hearts, this disaster stands as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the need for ever-evolving safety protocols in modern aviation.
