Ahmedabad Air India flight crash: Seat 11A passenger miraculously survives, 204 confirmed dead

A Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, operating as Air India Flight AI‑171 en route to London, crashed into the Atulyam doctors’ hostel at BJ Medical College near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12 at 1:39 PM IST, killing or critically injuring nearly all onboard, while a single passenger miraculously survived.

The flight was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.

"The police found one survivor in seat 11A. One survivor has been found in the hospital and is under treatment. Cannot say anything about the number of deaths yet. The death toll may increase as the flight crashed in a residential area," Ahmedabad Police Commissioner, GS Malik was quoted as saying.

The aircraft issued a Mayday call around 625 feet altitude, plunging into the residential block housing approximately 200 residents across 94 flats.

Ramesh Vishwaskumar Bucharvada, 38, was seated on 11A and reportedly jumped off the plane during the incident.

The rest are feared dead, as recovery teams report to have retrieved dozens of bodies from both the aircraft and the fiery wreckage.

Among the dead is also former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani who was onboard the fateful flight.

"Former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has passed away. The BJP family is deeply saddened," BJP's state president CR Patil told reporters in Mehsana."May God grant peace to all the departed souls, and give strength and peace to the families of the deceased," he said.

Eyewitnesses described a scene of catastrophic destruction—five-storey buildings obliterated, vehicles engulfed in flames, and residents injured in the explosion's aftermath.

Local hospitals, including Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre, received victims with severe burns and bodies so badly burned they were unrecognizable.

The incident marks the first-ever crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner globally since the model’s commercial launch in 2011. The aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, was delivered to Air India in January 2014.

All flight operations at Ahmedabad airport have been temporarily suspended. Rescue efforts are being led by the DGCA, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, NDRF, Gujarat police, Army engineers, and local emergency services. Investigators from Boeing and GE Aerospace are expected to assist with probe into the cause .

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu are coordinating with local authorities. Amit Shah confirmed he has contacted Gujarat’s chief minister, state home minister, and police commissioner, assuring full assistance from the Central government .

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, King Charles III, Canada’s High Commission, have also expressed condolences and offered aid in investigation.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also issued a statement on the Ahmedabad plane crash. Taking to X,he wrote, "I am saddened by the tragic accident of the Air India aircraft near Ahmedabad today. We extend our condolences to the families affected by this great loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by this heartbreaking tragedy."

Meanwhile, Tata Group has announced Rs 1 crore to the families of each person who has lost their lives in this tragic accident.