An Air India passenger plane carrying 242 people crashed during an emergency landing at Ahmedabad Airport in western India on Thursday, sparking a massive rescue operation. Authorities confirmed the aircraft, en route from Mumbai to Ahmedabad, encountered technical issues shortly before landing, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
Emergency teams rushed to the scene, with local officials reporting that survivors have been evacuated and transported to nearby hospitals. The flight, AI-307, had 225 passengers and 17 crew members onboard. Aviation experts emphasize that such incidents are rare in India, which has seen significant improvements in air safety standards over the past decade.
Witnesses described seeing smoke billowing from the aircraft before it skidded off the runway. "The plane tilted sharply, and there was a loud noise," said Ramesh Patel, a taxi driver near the airport. The incident has temporarily halted all flights at Ahmedabad, a key hub for business and tourism in Gujarat state.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences on social media, pledging full support for affected families. Aviation regulators have launched a probe, focusing on maintenance records and air traffic control communications. The crash raises questions about post-pandemic operational readiness as air travel demand surges across Asia.
