Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 – Fresh details have emerged from the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 that went down minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad, en route to London Gatwick. Among the victims were both pilots of the aircraft — Captain Sumit Sabharwal, who had over 8,200 hours of flight experience, and Co-Pilot Clive Kundar, a native of Mangalore. Both are confirmed to have lost their lives in the crash.
The death toll has risen to 289, according to the latest official reports. 240 of the deceased were passengers and crew members aboard the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The remaining casualties were primarily medical students residing in a nearby hostel, tragically caught in the crash impact. Many of the students had gathered in the dining hall for lunch when the aircraft struck the building.
Emergency personnel continue to carry out rescue and recovery operations. Dozens of hostel students are being treated at local hospitals, with several in critical condition. Authorities have expressed concern that the death toll could further increase, as three to five of the injured remain in extremely serious condition.
The nation mourns the devastating loss of lives in what is now being called one of the worst aviation tragedies in recent years. Further investigations are underway, and updates are expected as more information becomes available.
