An Air India flight bound for London crashes minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad, resulting in injuries among passengers. Investigations into the cause are ongoing as the airline addresses its safety history.
Tragedy Strikes as Air India Flight Crashes Shortly After Takeoff
Tragedy Strikes as Air India Flight Crashes Shortly After Takeoff
An Air India passenger plane with 242 aboard crashes near Ahmedabad, India, after departing for London, prompting a massive emergency response.
An Air India passenger plane, with 242 individuals aboard, crashed shortly after its departure from Ahmedabad on Thursday, heading towards London's Gatwick Airport. The flight, designated AI171, took off at 1:38 p.m. local time before encountering trouble near the airport, leading to a horrific accident, the airline indicated through a social media post.
The incident has drawn a swift emergency response, with injured passengers being transported to local hospitals for urgent medical attention. India's Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, expressed profound shock and extended condolences on social media. "We are on highest alert," he stated, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
Local news channels broadcasted visuals of thick black smoke spiraling into the sky from the crash site. The complete details regarding the number of casualties remain unclear at this moment, as authorities navigate the chaotic aftermath of the incident.
Among the 242 passengers and crew members were 169 Indians, 53 Britons, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese individuals. Air India's plane model involved was identified as a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
As the investigation unfolds, industry experts and officials are probing the cause of the crash, which is currently undetermined. Air India, India’s national airline, has faced scrutiny regarding its safety record, particularly following multiple incidents in the past. The last significant crash before this was in 2020 when an Air India Express flight tragically collided with the runway in Kerala, leading to the loss of 17 lives.
In light of these recent events, there’s a renewed focus on the aviation sector's safety standards in India, prompting discussions about regulatory oversight and operational practices to ensure passenger safety in the face of rapid expansion within the industry.
