Massive plane crash kills over 265 in Ahmedabad, India
- The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, resulting in a fireball and widespread destruction.
- At least 265 people were killed, including nearly all passengers on board and numerous residents on the ground.
- Authorities are using DNA testing to identify the victims and investigate the causes of the crash.
On Thursday, June 12, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded in India when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a residential neighborhood in Ahmedabad, shortly after takeoff from the local airport. The plane, which was carrying 242 passengers and crew, immediately burst into flames, leading to a devastating fireball that engulfed the area. Reports indicate that all but one person aboard the aircraft perished, along with at least 24 individuals on the ground. Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of utter devastation, with volunteers and bystanders rushing to help in the aftermath. Bharat Solanki, who was working nearby, described bodies strewn across the crash site, many of them unrecognizable and fully burnt. He, along with fellow volunteers, assisted in retrieving both the deceased and injured from the aftermath of the crash. Home Minister Amit Shah's visitation revealed that the enormous explosion and subsequent fire were exacerbated by the 125,000 liters of fuel onboard the aircraft, which contributed to the intense heat that made immediate assistance incredibly challenging. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site the following morning, witnessing the destruction firsthand as residents described the noise likening it to a bomb explosion. Local witnesses, including Sona Prakash and laborer Vinod Bhai, recounted the chaos and confusion as smoke billowed into the sky, creating a dark shroud over the area. The impact of the crash was particularly severe as the plane collided with a medical hostel, leading to numerous deaths and injuries among medical professionals and patients housed there. Authorities have initiated a DNA testing process for relatives seeking to identify their loved ones, facing an arduous task given the condition of the remains. This incident marks a grim chapter in aviation safety, raising questions about the aircraft's condition and the protocols surrounding takeoff. With the final death toll still uncertain, this tragedy underscores the necessity for thorough investigations and improved safety measures in air travel to prevent such catastrophic events in the future.