A devastating aviation tragedy unfolded in Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon when an Air India flight bound for London crashed just minutes after takeoff, carrying a total of 242 people on board. According to early reports, the pilot issued a Mayday distress call to Air Traffic Control shortly before the crash, indicating that a serious emergency had occurred during the initial phase of the flight.
The aircraft, identified as Flight AI171, was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner scheduled to fly to London Gatwick Airport. It was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The plane departed at approximately 1:10 PM local time but went down within minutes near the Ghoda Camp area, located close to the airport’s perimeter.
In an official statement, Air India confirmed the incident, stating that the flight had been involved in an accident and that authorities were working to determine the full details. The airline assured that updates would be provided as more information becomes available. Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran expressed deep grief over the incident, extending his condolences to the families and loved ones of those affected. He emphasized that the airline’s immediate priority is to support victims and cooperate fully with emergency services and investigators.
Preliminary information from aviation authorities suggests that the aircraft crashed in a residential area between Meghaninagar and Ahmedabad Cantonment, raising fears of additional casualties on the ground. Eyewitnesses reported hearing loud explosions followed by thick smoke billowing into the sky, signaling the severity of the crash.
Emergency response teams, including firefighters, police personnel, and medical units, were quickly deployed to the scene. Rescue and recovery operations began immediately under challenging conditions, as responders worked through debris and fire to locate survivors. However, early indications suggest that all 242 people on board may have lost their lives, making this one of the deadliest air disasters in recent years.
