An Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft bound for London’s Gatwick Airport crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad early Thursday, killing an unspecified number of people and triggering a large-scale emergency response. The flight, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, went down in a civilian area near the airport, according to local authorities.
The passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese citizens. India’s civil aviation minister, Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, described the incident as “shocking and devastating,” confirming that rescue teams were mobilized immediately. “All efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support reach the site swiftly,” he stated on social media.
Air India confirmed the flight departed Ahmedabad at 1:38 a.m. local time before losing contact. Witnesses reported seeing flames near the crash site, though the cause remains under investigation. The incident marks one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent years, raising questions about safety protocols and emergency preparedness.
Global aviation authorities, including Boeing, are expected to assist in the probe. Families of passengers have been directed to contact Air India’s emergency hotline for updates.
