The Air India AI171 flight tragically crashed just moments after takeoff, leading to a massive emergency response and global attention as investigations begin.
**Tragedy Strikes as Air India Flight Crashes Shortly After Takeoff**
**Tragedy Strikes as Air India Flight Crashes Shortly After Takeoff**
A devastating incident involving an Air India flight bound for London Gatwick has unfolded in Ahmedabad, resulting in severe casualties and chaos.
In a shocking development, an Air India passenger plane, designated flight AI171, crashed soon after takeoff from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday. The flight, with over 240 individuals onboard, was en route to London Gatwick when it encountered a catastrophic incident shortly after departure.
The aircraft took off at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT) and was expected to reach its destination around 18:25 BST. According to reports from the flight tracking service FlightRadar24, the final signal from the aircraft was logged less than a minute post-takeoff, when the plane was reportedly at an altitude of merely 625 feet. Following a mayday call to air traffic control, the aircraft disappeared without further communication, crashing into the Meghani Nagar residential area where it reportedly collided with a doctors’ hostel.
Local eyewitness testimonies relayed moments of intense panic, with some individuals jumping to safety to avoid the impending disaster. Footage from the scene revealed billowing black smoke as emergency responders raced to extinguish flames and assist survivors, amidst heartbreaking images of bodies being recovered from the wreckage. The police chief of Ahmedabad has indicated that the tragic event may yield no survivors among the passengers, and also casualties among residents in the impact zone.
Among the 242 individuals onboard were varying nationalities including 53 British citizens and 169 from India. Air India quickly mobilized its emergency response initiatives, facilitating medical aid for the injured and activating a support center for victims’ families. First-hand accounts of the aerial disaster have left the country in mourning, with the Indian foreign ministry reporting, "we have lost a lot of people."
The crashed flight involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, renowned for its operational reliability since its launch 14 years ago. Boeing has expressed its condolences and pledged assistance to Air India in navigating the ensuing investigation.
As authorities and the airline continue to assess the situation, all airport operations in Ahmedabad have been put on hold. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his deep sorrow over the tragedy, as did UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, underscoring the international attention this calamity has drawn.
In response to the unfolding situation, the UK’s consular services have mobilized, providing support and information to affected families, as both governments work diligently to ascertain the facts surrounding this heart-wrenching event.
