Among the victims are prominent figures like former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, with one British national miraculously surviving the catastrophic impact.
By PC Bureau
June 13, 2025 – The death toll from the catastrophic crash of Air India Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad has risen to 265, according to the latest updates from Indian authorities and the Press Trust of India. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London Gatwick, crashed into a doctors’ hostel at BJ Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area on June 12, 2025, shortly after takeoff, marking one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters. Below is a detailed breakdown of the casualties based on verified reports.
Breakdown of the Death Toll
- Onboard Fatalities: Air India confirmed that the flight carried 242 passengers and crew members, including 230 passengers and 12 crew. Of these, 241 were killed, with one survivor, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who was seated near an emergency exit in seat 11A and escaped with severe injuries. The onboard casualties included:
- 169 Indian nationals, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and two cabin crew members from Manipur, Kongrabailatpam Nganthoi Sharma and Lamnunthem Singson.
- 53 British nationals.
- 7 Portuguese nationals.
- 1 Canadian national.
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- Ground Fatalities: The aircraft crashed into a residential hostel for medical staff at BJ Medical College, causing additional casualties. Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanan Desai reported that 265 bodies were recovered, indicating at least 24 deaths on the ground. Specific ground casualties include:
- Three MBBS students, confirmed by the Indian Medical Association Gujarat.
- Three resident doctors.
- One doctor’s pregnant wife.
- One 13-year-old boy working at a nearby tea stall.
- Additional unconfirmed ground victims, as rescue teams continue to clear debris and search for remains. The exact number of ground casualties may rise as identification efforts proceed, with some reports suggesting 30–35 bodies retrieved from the hostel.
#BREAKING At least 265 bodies recovered after Air India plane carrying 242 people slammed into medical college hostel in western India: Press Trust of India pic.twitter.com/BjZTrmcw1X
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) June 12, 2025
Discrepancies and Clarifications
Initial reports varied, with some sources like CNN citing a higher toll of 290, based on a senior doctor’s statement at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, while an X post claimed 315 total casualties, including 75 medical professionals. These figures have been revised downward by police to 265 to avoid duplicate counting of body parts, as many remains were charred beyond recognition. The recovery of one black box and ongoing DNA sampling (over 1,000 samples collected) are aiding identification efforts, but the final toll remains subject to confirmation.
PM Modi visits Hospitals:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and Ahmedabad Civil Hospital today, meeting the injured, including the sole survivor, and reviewing relief efforts. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch, and Boeing, is investigating the cause, with early theories pointing to a possible engine failure or bird strike after a MAYDAY call was issued. Rescue operations, led by six NDRF teams, have concluded, with 60 injured individuals treated, 22 discharged, and the rest stable.
READ: Air India Crash: The Lives and Legacy of AI171’s 12 Brave Crew Members
The crash, intensified by the plane’s heavy fuel load, caused a massive fire, complicating rescue efforts. Air India has established assistance centers at Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Gatwick airports, offering a hotline (1800 5691 444 for India, +91 8062779200 for international) and ₹1 crore compensation per victim, plus ₹1.5 crore under the Montreal Convention. World leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, have expressed condolences.
The focus remains on identifying victims, supporting the injured, and determining the crash’s cause. The sole survivor’s recovery and the black box analysis are critical to understanding this tragedy, which has shaken India and the global aviation community.
