Air India flight crashes near Ahmedabad airport with over 240 onboard
AI 171 crashes after takeoff from Ahmedabad with 242 onboard.
An Air India aircraft carrying 242 people, including pilots and crew, crashed near Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday. The crash occurred between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM local time, according to reports by Indian news outlet NDTV.
The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner reportedly went down shortly after takeoff, very close to the airport premises. Visuals from the scene showed thick grey smoke rising into the air, indicating a major fire post-impact.
Immediately after the crash, the aircraft caught fire. At least seven fire engines and around twelve ambulances reached the site for rescue operations. Several injured passengers have been taken to a nearby civil hospital. Eyewitnesses reported seeing multiple people being rushed away from the airport area.
Police sources confirmed that the aircraft, Air India flight AI 171, was headed to London when the incident occurred. The possibility of survivors is believed to be minimal.
India’s Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken with Gujarat’s Chief Minister, State Home Minister, and the Police Commissioner. He assured that the central government is extending all possible assistance for rescue and investigation.
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