Ahmedaba, India — Tragedy struck on Thursday afternoon when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing an unknown number of passengers and injuring many others.
The aircraft, Flight AI 171, was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members when it plummeted into the Meghani Nagar residential area, erupting into flames on impact.
Authorities confirmed that the aircraft took off at 7:38 PM local time and issued a distress call declaring a "Mayday" just moments before vanishing from air traffic control communications.
The crash site, just beyond the airport perimeter fence, was engulfed in thick black smoke shortly after the incident.
Emergency services rushed to the scene as frightened residents reported a loud explosion followed by flames consuming the wreckage.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), initial reports suggest that the aircraft encountered technical difficulties during its ascent. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Among the 242 people onboard were 169 Indian nationals, 53 from the United Kingdom, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. The flight crew included Captain Sumit Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder.
Social media has been flooded with images and videos of the wreckage, while local and international leaders have begun offering condolences. Unconfirmed reports also suggest that former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani may have been among the passengers, though this has not yet been verified.
“Tragic news: An Air India flight with 242 passengers has crashed in Ahmedabad. Reports suggest former CM Vijay Rupani might have been on board. Life is so unpredictable,” read one viral post on X (formerly Twitter).
Air India has yet to release an official statement detailing the full passenger manifest or confirming casualties. However, officials have urged families of passengers to contact the airline for support and information.
The crash has sparked widespread mourning and renewed scrutiny over air safety protocols in India. This marks one of the most serious aviation disasters in the country in recent years.
Authorities have cordoned off the area and are working with aviation experts to recover the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder the so-called "black boxes" which are crucial for determining the cause of the accident.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with several victims transported to nearby hospitals. Local authorities have appealed for blood donations and medical volunteers as hospitals prepare for an influx of patients.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced it will hold a press conference later today.