In perhaps one of the worst aviation disasters in history, Air India Flight 171‘s crash resulted in numerous fatalities — among both passengers and locals on the ground. However, one survivor came forward to share his story. As more details come to light about the tragedy, many are wondering how many survivors managed to escape the accident with their lives. Below, find out how many people survived the crash.
What Happened to Air India Flight 171?
Air India flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2025. More than 240 people were on board when it hit the top of a medical college hostel’s dining hall.
What Did the Air India Flight Crash Report Reveal?
A preliminary report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau revealed that the fuel switches in the plane had been cut off shortly after takeoff. The pilots were heard discussing the switches, indicating that neither of them knew who was responsible.
“In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cutoff. The other pilot responded that he did not do so,” the report read, per NBC News.
A preliminary report on last month’s Air India crash, which killed 260 people, says fuel to the engines was cut just seconds after takeoff. @ABC News contributor and former pilot John Nance breaks down the findings. pic.twitter.com/0F6fEABF4U
— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) July 11, 2025
How Many Air India Crash Survivors Are There?
There was only one survivor from Air India flight 171: Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national, who was visiting family in India and on his way back home to the U.K. He reportedly walked away from the crash site before being hospitalized. From his hospital bed, multiple local news stations reported that Ramesh said the plane crashed around 30 seconds after taking off.
Dr. Dhaval Gameti told The Associated Press that Ramesh was “disoriented with multiple injuries all over his body … but he seems to be out of danger.”
Air India stated that there were 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese and one Canadian on board the flight. After the plane struck the top of a dining facility of a medical college hostel, at least five students were killed, and 50 others were injured, according to multiple outlets.
How Many Boeing 787 Crashes Have There Been?
Air India flight 171 is considered one of the country’s worst airline disasters in decades. This is the first-ever crash by a Boeing 787 aircraft, per the Aviation Safety Network database. However, the aircraft manufacturing company has suffered multiple setbacks over the past few years with its planes around the world. One of the most recent incidents was when an emergency exit popped off mid-flight.
Boeing addressed the Air India crash in a statement by its CEO and president, Kelly Ortberg, which read, “Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad. I have spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to offer our full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.”
