A catastrophic air disaster unfolded in Ahmedabad, India, when Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 242 people on board. The Boeing 787, en route to London, went down in a densely populated neighborhood, sparking a massive fireball and panic across the city.
Highlights:
- Air India Flight 171 crashed five minutes after departing Ahmedabad for London.
- All 232 passengers and 12 crew members aboard are presumed dead.
- The aircraft hit a residential block near BJ Medical College, causing major damage and fire.
- Authorities have launched an international investigation into the crash.
- The tragedy marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Main Story:
Shortly after lifting off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 PM local time, Flight AI 171 issued a distress signal before plummeting into the Meghani Nagar area. The fully-fueled aircraft burst into flames upon impact, igniting a massive blaze and sending thick black smoke billowing over the city.
Officials confirmed that the aircraft carried 232 passengers and 12 crew members. Emergency responders on-site have reported no signs of survivors. Rescue operations are ongoing, with concerns mounting about additional casualties on the ground in the densely populated zone.
Local fire units and three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams rushed to the crash site. They faced intense heat and dangerous conditions as they battled the flames and searched for bodies. Parts of the aircraft were strewn across rooftops and courtyards.
Air India, now under Tata Group ownership, has set up emergency support for victims’ families. The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), in coordination with Boeing and international investigators, has launched a full inquiry. British officials have offered support for their citizens believed to be among the victims.
This marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 since its introduction, raising fresh questions about aircraft safety and maintenance. Aviation regulators globally are monitoring developments closely.
As the world mourns the lives lost in this shocking crash, it also waits for answers—hoping lessons will emerge from this fire in the sky.
