Ahmedabad Plane Crash News live: Air India London flight with over 200 + passengers crashes near airport
A horrific plane crash occurred today in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, shaking the entire nation. Air India’s flight AI-171, headed to London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed just minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. A total of 242 people were onboard, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
The crash occurred at 1:38 PM when the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner took off from Ahmedabad and crashed around 1:40 PM in the Meghani Nagar area of the city, engulfed in flames. According to eyewitnesses, there was a loud explosion as the plane went down, followed by thick black smoke rising into the sky. Panic spread across the crash site.
Rescue Operation Underway
As soon as news of the crash broke, teams from the fire brigade, NDRF, and police rushed to the site. Rescue and relief operations are being carried out on a war footing. The airport authorities and local hospitals have been put on high alert. The exact number of casualties has not yet been confirmed, but there are fears that many lives may have been lost.
Nationalities of the Passengers
Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian citizen. Air India has stated that they are in contact with the families of all those affected and are providing every possible assistance.
Orders for Investigation
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. A special team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been dispatched to Ahmedabad. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Home Minister Amit Shah called an emergency meeting and are on their way to the city.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep sorrow over the crash and has instructed all concerned agencies to provide immediate relief. He said the central government is closely monitoring the situation and is working in coordination with the state administration.
Investigation into Technical Causes
It has been reported that AI-171 had taken off from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport for Ahmedabad and was scheduled to depart for London after a brief layover. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is considered a technically advanced aircraft and was around 11 years old. Initial suspicions suggest a technical fault or bird hit may have caused the crash, but an official confirmation will only come after a complete investigation.
Air India’s Response
An Air India spokesperson confirmed the crash via an official statement on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Flight AI-171, which was en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick Airport, has unfortunately met with an accident today. We are deeply saddened by this incident and extend our heartfelt condolences to all affected families.”
Conclusion
This tragic event adds another sorrowful chapter to India’s aviation history. The government, Air India, and emergency agencies are working together to manage the situation. In the coming days, it will be crucial to see what the investigation reveals about the cause of the crash and what preventive measures are adopted to avoid such disasters in the future.
