An Air India flight bound for London crashed during takeoff at Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, killing all 242 passengers and crew members. Five medical students residing near the airport also perished in the incident, with multiple injuries reported among first responders and local residents.
Video footage captured by CGTN stringer Vikas Joshi showed twisted metal debris and emergency teams working through smoke at the crash site. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner reportedly veered off the runway before bursting into flames, according to preliminary witness accounts.
Indian aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the disaster, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing condolences to victims' families. The incident has reignited debates about aviation safety standards in one of Asia's fastest-growing air travel markets, particularly as India aims to become a global aviation hub.
Business analysts note potential short-term impacts on Indian aviation stocks, while travel advisories for Gujarat remain unchanged. The crash marks India's deadliest aviation disaster since 2020, with identification efforts for victims ongoing through DNA analysis.
