A tragic crash of Air India's flight bound for London Gatwick occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, claiming many lives and prompting an extensive emergency response.
Air India Flight to London Crashes Shortly After Takeoff in Ahmedabad
Air India Flight to London Crashes Shortly After Takeoff in Ahmedabad
Tragic incident leaves passengers and crew feared lost as investigations begin.
An Air India flight, designated AI171, met a devastating fate when it crashed shortly after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday. The aircraft was carrying 242 people, including passengers and crew members, when it departed at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT) but failed to reach its destination of London Gatwick, which it was anticipated to arrive at by 18:25 BST.
As per the data from FlightRadar24, the plane lost its signal less than a minute post-takeoff, reaching an altitude of just 625 feet (190m). Reports indicate that the aircraft issued a mayday call to air traffic control before communication was lost, and it consequently crashed into a residential area—hitting a doctor's hostel in Meghani Nagar. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as local residents rushed to help, while emergency responders battled rising flames.
Preliminary assessments from authorities suggest a likelihood of no survivors, with Ahmedabad's police chief GS Malik confirming the tragic losses on the ground and reporting potential casualties among locals. The Indian foreign ministry has expressed profound sorrow, noting significant fatalities associated with the incident.
Among those on board the aircraft were 53 British nationals, a Canadian national, seven Portuguese nationals, and a majority of Indian passengers. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner involved in the accident has been in operation for 14 years, and this crash marks a grim first in its history.
In response, Air India and aviation officials have initiated immediate rescue operations while the airline's chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, expressed condolences and confirmed an emergency center activation for supporting affected families.
Authorities are maintaining close monitoring of the situation, with the airport's operations currently suspended. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sadness over the incident, as did UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who highlighted the distressing scenes emerging from Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, the UK government is actively coordinating with local authorities to provide support for affected families.
