BREAKING NEWS: More than 200 people were killed when an Air India plane bound for London with 242 people on board crashed minutes after taking off from the western city of Ahmedabad on Thursday, marking the world’s worst aviation disaster in a decade and the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Air India Flight AI171: Crash Details
Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 carrying 242 people, crashed after taking off from Ahmedabad on its way to London. The Boeing 787-8 crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar five minutes after taking off at 1:38 p.m. (08:08 GMT), according to aviation authorities.
Authorities say 204 bodies have been recovered from the site and there is one confirmed survivor so far. The crash site in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar neighborhood has become the focus of massive rescue and recovery operations as emergency teams work to locate any additional survivors.
Historic Boeing 787 Dreamliner Accident
This Air India crash represents a significant milestone in aviation history. The crash was the first for a 787 Dreamliner, according to an aviation-safety database. The aircraft gave a “Mayday” call, signaling an emergency before it crashed, indicating the crew was aware of the developing crisis.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner involved in the crash was an eleven-year-old aircraft that had been in service since 2010. Boeing has confirmed they are aware of the crash reports and are working to gather more information about the incident.
Passenger Manifest and International Impact
The airline said passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese and one Canadian. The significant number of British nationals aboard the London-bound flight has prompted international attention, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling the scenes “devastating.”
Flight AI171 was operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, a popular route connecting India’s commercial hub in Gujarat with the UK capital. The international passenger manifest highlights the global impact of this aviation tragedy.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Firefighters and rescue teams are working around the clock at the crash site, with smoke still visible hours after the disaster. The immediate focus remains on search and rescue operations, though hopes for finding additional survivors are diminishing as time passes.
The cause of the crash wasn’t immediately known and could take months to determine. Aviation authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into what caused this unprecedented Boeing 787 accident.
Air India Safety Record and Industry Impact
This Air India crash represents the most significant aviation disaster involving the carrier in recent years. The airline industry will be closely monitoring the investigation results, particularly given that this marks the first fatal accident for the generally reliable Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
The crash site in Ahmedabad’s residential area has also raised concerns about ground casualties, though exact numbers are still being confirmed by local authorities.
Latest Updates and Global Response
International aviation authorities are coordinating with Indian officials to support the investigation. The aviation industry worldwide is watching this developing story closely, as the findings could have implications for Boeing 787 operations globally.
This breaking news story continues to develop, with rescue operations ongoing and investigation teams preparing for what promises to be one of the most scrutinized aviation accidents in recent memory.