LIVE: Air India flight with 242 on board crashes in Ahmedabad

Ujwal Jalali

New Delhi

An Air India flight bound for London, carrying 242 passengers, crashed shortly after take-off in a residential area of Ahmedabad on Thursday.

The flight, AI 171, had just departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport when it reportedly went down near Forensic Cross Road in the Meghaninagar locality. The aircraft crashed around the IGB Ground, leading to panic among locals.

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"There were 242 persons on board the aircraft, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew. The aircraft was under the command of Capt Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer Clive Kundar," the DGCA said.

As per ATC, the aircraft departed from Ahmadabad at 1.39 pm from runway 23 and gave a MAYDAY Call to ATC, but thereafter no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC.

"Aircraft immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on ground outside the airport perimeter. Heavy smoke was seen coming from the accident site," the official said.

Visuals from the site showed thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky as emergency services rushed to the scene. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion followed by chaos and flames rising from the wreckage.

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Fire brigade units, local police, and ambulances were deployed immediately, while teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have also been dispatched. Rescue efforts are currently under way, with officials yet to confirm the number of casualties or survivors.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and assured full support from the Centre. Authorities have cordoned off the area and urged people to stay away to facilitate rescue operations.

The cause of the crash remains unknown, but initial reports suggest the mishap occurred during take-off.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu expressed shock over the incident and stated that the Ministry is on its "highest alert".

"Shocked and devastated to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action," the minister posted on X.

He further stated that rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site. "My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families," he added.

Also read: Flight operations at Ahmedabad airport temporarily halted

(With inputs from PTI)

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