Video: Smoke, panic as Air India plane crashes in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad (Gujarat): Shocking visuals have flooded social media after an Air India aircraft carrying 242 people crashed during take-off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Wednesday. The Gujarat State Police Control Room confirmed the incident, which occurred in the Meghani Nagar area, close to the airport perimeter.

The aircraft, flight AI171, a Boeing 787 operating the Ahmedabad–London Gatwick route, was carrying 220 passengers and 12 crew members when it went down shortly after initiating its take-off run.

Footage posted by eyewitnesses shows massive plumes of black smoke billowing from the crash site, with sirens wailing in the background as emergency responders raced to the scene. Residents can be seen in a state of panic, with some videos capturing the chaotic moments as injured passengers were rushed to nearby hospitals.

The cause of the crash remains unclear. While there is no official word yet on the number of casualties, the visuals highlight significant damage to the aircraft and the surrounding area.

The incident has triggered panic among locals, leading authorities to swiftly cordon off the site. Emergency services, including fire, police, and medical teams, are conducting intensive rescue and relief operations.

In a brief statement, Air India confirmed that flight AI171 was involved in an incident and stated that further updates would be shared via airindia.com and their official X handle.

For emergency assistance, the Ahmedabad Airport Emergency Contact Number is: 079-22869211.