What began as a routine international flight turned into a scene of devastation on Wednesday, as an Air India aircraft carrying 242 people crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, western India.
The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was en route to London’s Gatwick Airport with 53 British nationals among the passengers.
It went down in a densely populated civilian area near the airport perimeter, sparking fires and widespread destruction.
Local police confirmed that all 242 passengers were on board, though official casualty figures have not yet been released. Television images showed rescue teams carrying victims on stretchers, ambulances rushing to hospitals, and flames with thick black smoke rising from the crash site.
“The details are still emerging. We are assessing the situation and will share verified updates shortly,” Air India said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
The crash occurred during takeoff, according to preliminary reports. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause. Rescue operations remain ongoing, as emergency personnel continue to search for survivors.
