Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad: 242 Passengers Aboard

An Air India flight destined for London crashes shortly after departure, causing widespread concern and emergency response efforts.

An Air India passenger aircraft, designated Flight AI171, met with disaster shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport in Gujarat, India, on Thursday. The plane, carrying 242 individuals, was en route to London’s Gatwick Airport when it crashed, reportedly resulting in injuries among those on board. The airline confirmed the incident through social media channels, stating that measures were being taken to assist the injured.

India’s civil aviation minister, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, expressed deep concern over the crash, affirming, "We are on highest alert," as emergency services mobilized to the site of the accident. Eyewitness visuals depicted significant smoke rising from the area, indicating the severity of the situation.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner departed at 1:38 p.m. local time and experienced complications mere moments after takeoff. Among the passengers were 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese travelers. While details surrounding the cause of the crash remain uncertain, investigations are underway.

Air India has been working to improve its safety measures following a series of unsettling incidents in the past decades, including a 2020 crash and previous mishaps that raised questions about the integrity of India's aviation sector. This recent event raises alarms and renews discussions about the operational safety in a rapidly growing industry.

Amelia Nierenberg, a breaking news reporter based in London, is monitoring updates on international aviation safety and crisis developments.