Tragedy in the Skies as Air India Flight Crashes Minutes After Takeoff From Ahmedabad

Panic and Smoke as Dreamliner Goes Down

A routine international journey turned into a tragic disaster on Thursday afternoon when an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft, carrying 232 passengers and 10 crew members, went down near the Dharpur area close to Meghaninagar, triggering panic in the surrounding neighborhoods as thick black smoke filled the sky.

Timeline of the Incident

The flight took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport but reportedly encountered issues within minutes. Around 1:17 PM, the aircraft issued a distress signal—a MAYDAY call—before losing contact with air traffic control. By 1:38 PM, eyewitnesses reported a loud explosion and a fireball as the plane crashed in a nearby residential zone.

Emergency services responded quickly. Dozens of fire trucks, ambulances, and police vehicles reached the scene within minutes. Visuals from the area showed smoke billowing high into the air and wreckage scattered across a wide radius. At least two dozen ambulances were seen ferrying injured passengers to nearby hospitals, as the city reeled from the shock of the disaster.

Airport Temporarily Shut Down

Following the crash, all flight operations at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport were suspended until further notice. Authorities stated that the move was necessary to facilitate emergency operations and ensure the safety of airport personnel and passengers.

Authorities Spring Into Action

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the loss of communication following the MAYDAY alert and announced a formal investigation to determine the cause of the crash. The exact reason remains unclear, though early reports suggest