An Air India flight heading to London with over 240 people on board crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad, India.

 AHMEDABAD, JUNE 12 — A tragic plane crash occurred in Ahmedabad, India, when an Air India flight heading to London’s Gatwick Airport crashed just minutes after takeoff. The aircraft, carrying more than 240 people, went down in a densely populated area called Meghani Nagar, close to the airport.


Television footage showed thick smoke rising from the crash site and surrounding buildings being sprayed with water by firefighters. The aircraft had just taken off at 1:38 p.m. local time and was fully loaded with fuel. Images from the scene showed debris and bodies on the ground, highlighting the scale of the devastation.


The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was carrying 244 people, according to civil aviation authorities, though Air India reported 242 on board—169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian.


India’s Civil Aviation Minister said emergency services were providing medical help and support at the crash site. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, calling the crash “heartbreaking beyond words.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also described the incident as "devastating," noting the presence of many British nationals on board.


This is the first time a Boeing 787 has ever been involved in a crash, according to the Aviation Safety Network. Boeing acknowledged the incident and said it was working to gather more information.


Air India’s chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said the airline's priority is supporting the victims and their families. A dedicated emergency center and support team have been set up to assist those seeking information.


British officials have pledged to support affected families, both in the UK and in India. Parliament members expressed deep concern, especially given the close ties between the two countries—nearly 1.9 million people of Indian origin live in the UK.


This is the worst air disaster in India since 2020, when an Air India Express plane crashed in Kozhikode, killing 21 people. It also brings back painful memories of India’s deadliest crash in 1996, when a midair collision killed 349 people.


The crash comes just days before the Paris Air Show, where aircraft makers like Boeing and Airbus compete for major orders. Boeing shares fell sharply following news of the crash.

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