Rescue and clearance operations are underway at Ahmedabad Airport, India after an aircraft carrying 242 people crashed shortly after take-off Thursday.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner registered as VT-ANB, was bound for Gatwick Airport in London when it crashed in a civilian area near the airport, according to airline and police sources.
The flight carried 217 adults, 11 children, and 14 crew members. Of the passengers, 169 were Indian nationals, while others included 43 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, according to sources cited by Reuters.
Aviation tracking platform Flightradar24 confirmed that the Dreamliner departed from runway 23 at 1:39 p.m. local time and sent out a distress signal—a “Mayday” call—immediately after takeoff. Communication was lost seconds later, and the aircraft disappeared from radar.
Television broadcasts showed disturbing visuals of the incident: the plane flying low over a residential area, then vanishing from view before a massive fireball erupted behind rows of houses. Thick black smoke billowed into the sky as rescue teams and ambulances rushed to the scene.
Footage also showed survivors being carried on stretchers, with emergency personnel performing triage at the site.
Air India confirmed the crash on its official social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, “We are ascertaining the details and will share further updates.”
Officials at Ahmedabad airport announced the immediate suspension of all other flight operations to facilitate rescue and recovery efforts.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose home state is Gujarat, has reportedly directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation to extend full support to ongoing emergency operations.
“All relevant agencies are on high alert,” the aviation ministry’s office said, emphasizing that coordinated responses were underway.
READ ALSO: San Diego evacuates residents after plane crash
The cause of the crash remains unknown, though the aircraft’s sudden distress call has raised concerns about possible mechanical failure or other technical complications. Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, has not yet issued an official comment.
This tragedy is India’s deadliest air crash since 2020, when an Air India Express Boeing 737 overshot a runway in Kozhikode, killing 21 people.
Air India, formerly a state-owned enterprise, was acquired by the Tata Group in 2022 and merged with Vistara in 2024 as part of a broader restructuring effort to revitalize the national carrier.
In response to the crash, Tata Group activated an emergency control center and dispatched a dedicated support team to assist affected families.
“We are focused on providing timely information and necessary support to the loved ones of those aboard the aircraft,” a spokesperson said.
Local authorities have cordoned off the crash site as investigation teams begin combing through the debris for clues.
The Director General of Civil Aviation is expected to lead the formal inquiry into the incident in collaboration with Boeing and international aviation bodies.
Agency report
