Ahmedabad/New Delhi: A London-bound Air India flight carrying 242 people crashed soon after take off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon, triggering a massive release operation near the crash location in a civilian area near to the airport.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registered as VT-ANB, lost contact with air traffic control moments after issuing a "Mayday" distress call at 1:39 p.m. (0809 GMT), shortly after departing from runway 23. The aircraft was en route to Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom.
Visuals from the site presented flames engulfing parts of the wreckage, thick plumes of black smoke rising into the sky, and debris scattered across a densely populated locality. Television footage captured the aircraft taking off over a residential area before disappearing from view, followed by a fiery explosion in the expanse.
Rescue teams, ambulances, and fire units reached the spot quickly. Many injured passengers and civilians were seen being carried away on stretchers.
Officials have not yet confirmed the number of mortalities or the exact cause of the crash.
According to airline and police sources, the aircraft was carrying 217 adults and 11 children. Of the 242 on board, 169 were Indian nationals, 43 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.
Flight tracking portal Flightradar24 established the plane’s identity and said its last signal was received seconds after take-off.
The platform also published a map indicating the aircraft’s short-lived trajectory and the projected crash location, based on visual data and social media footage.
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Air India, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said: “At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates.”
Boeing has not issued an official comment as of this report. The company’s shares fell 6.8 percent in pre-market trading, reaching USD 199.13.
India’s Civil Aviation Ministry stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed instant help and total backing for rescue efforts. “All relevant agencies are on high alert and coordinated efforts are underway,” the ministry’s statement read.
More explains are awaited as investigations last into one of the most serious air crashes in India in current years.
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