Ahmedabad, June 12:
Tragedy struck on Wednesday afternoon when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport. The aircraft, operating as flight AI 171, was en route to London Gatwick when it went down at approximately 1:38 PM local time.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft was carrying 232 passengers and 10 crew members. Moments after takeoff, the aircraft was seen flying unusually low and struggling to gain altitude. Eyewitness video footage captured the aircraft slamming into the ground and erupting in a massive fireball.
Emergency response teams rushed to the site, but there are no confirmed reports of survivors at this time. The DGCA and other aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.
Air India issued a brief statement following the incident:
“Flight AI 171, operating Ahmedabad–London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest.”
More information is expected to emerge as investigations continue. The nation mourns what could be one of the worst aviation disasters in recent years.
