An Air India flight bound for London met with tragedy on June 12 when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat, India. All 242 passengers and crew members aboard perished in the incident, marking one of the deadliest aviation disasters in South Asia this decade.
CGTN Stringer footage obtained at the scene shows emergency responders working through debris and smoke in the immediate aftermath. Local authorities confirmed the aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, experienced technical failures minutes after departure. While rescue teams recovered flight recorders, investigations into the cause remain ongoing.
The crash has reignited discussions about aviation safety standards in India's rapidly expanding air travel sector. Industry analysts note this incident follows a 37% year-on-year increase in Indian air passenger traffic, raising questions about maintenance protocols and infrastructure capacity.
Condolences poured in from global leaders, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who expressed solidarity with affected families. As night fell over Ahmedabad, makeshift memorials emerged near the airport as residents paid tribute to victims from 14 countries and regions.
