AHMEDABAD: An Air India passenger plane crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport early Thursday morning.
The aircraft was headed to London and was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian on the flight, Air India says
The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating as Flight AI171, lost altitude within seconds of takeoff. It reached about 625 feet before crashing in a residential area called Meghani Nagar, close to the airport.
Emergency services responded immediately. Several people were injured and taken to nearby hospitals. Authorities have not yet confirmed the number of deaths, but officials have said that there may be multiple casualties.
Among those on board were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, 7 Portuguese, 1 Canadian, and 11 children. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also reported to be on the flight, but his condition is not yet confirmed.
The Indian government has started an investigation. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India are working together to find out what caused the crash.
Rescue operations are ongoing, and people have been asked to avoid the crash site.
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