An Air India flight crashed near the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, with initial inputs suggesting around 242 passengers were onboard. As per unconfirmed reports, former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani was on the plane.
The incident is believed to have occurred when the flight was taking off for London. Heavy smoke is visible from Dharpur near the Meghaninagar area.
The crew consisted of 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew. The aircraft was under the command of Capt Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer Clive Kundar. Among passengers, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese citizens. Injured passengers are being taken to nearby hospitals.
According to residents of Meghaninagar, three loud explosions were heard followed by smoke.
The cause of the incident and the extent of damage to the aircraft are yet to be officially confirmed. Airport authorities have initiated an internal inquiry, while a technical team is assessing the situation.
DGCA said Air India flight AI-171 to London crashed just after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12. The Boeing 787, with 242 people on board, gave a MAYDAY call before losing contact. The aircraft went down outside the airport perimeter.
The fire brigade has rushed to the spot, and emergency response teams are being mobilised. Authorities are yet to confirm the cause of the crash.
“A team of over five fire vehicles from various city divisions has reached the location. Fire control measures are being carried out as a precaution,” a senior fire department official said.
All roads to the area have been closed.
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