By Emeka Blast 
British Casualties Feared as 53 UK Citizens Were on Crashed India Flight to Gatwick
Yes, Air India Flight AI171, which tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, was en route to London Gatwick Airport and was carrying 53 British nationals among its 242 occupants. The flight included 169 Indian, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian passengers, along with 12 crew members. All individuals on board perished in the crash, making it the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner since its introduction .
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner registered VT-ANB, was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar. It took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at approximately 1:38 PM local time and crashed into a residential area in Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad, just minutes later. Eyewitnesses reported multiple explosions and thick black smoke rising from the crash site .
The crash site was located near BJ Medical College, where the aircraft’s partially intact tail was found protruding from a multi-story building. The aircraft had issued a mayday call shortly before losing contact with air traffic control .
In response to the tragedy, both Indian and UK officials have expressed deep sorrow and are collaborating on the investigation. Air India has set up a dedicated hotline to assist affected families and is fully cooperating with authorities .
