London-Bound Air India flight with 242 onboard crashes near Ahmedabad airport | Full passenger list inside

Ahmedabad (Gujarat): In a major incident, an Air India passenger aircraft with 242 passengers onboard crashed during take-off near the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, the Gujarat State Police Control Room has confirmed.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft (AI171) could be seen from afar, losing altitude rapidly and crashing in a ball of fire that sent plumes of thick black smoke spiralling up in the air. The aircraft carrying 232 passengers and 10 crew crashed in Meghaninagar area near the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport around 2 pm.

According to Air India, the incident took place on flight AI171, and investigations are underway. “At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest on airindia.com and our X handle (https://x.com/airindia),” the airline spokesperson said.

The incident took place on Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787, which was operating on the Ahmedabad to London route. The same plane flew from New Delhi as AI 423 at 9:50 am today and landed at 11:17 am in Ahmedabad. The plane then became international flight AI 171 bound to London.

Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the director general of the directorate of civil aviation, told The Associated Press that Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787, crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar five minutes after taking off at 1:38 pm local time.

The 787 Dreamliner is a widebody, twin-engined plane. This is the first crash ever of a Boeing 787 aircraft, according to the Aviation Safety Network database.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to the Gujarat Chief Minister, Home Minister and the Police Commissioner regarding the plane crash. He also assured to provide Central government assistance.

According to ANI, quoting, State Police Control Room, the flight was carrying 242 passengers.

Seven fire engines have been rushed to the area to take stock of the situation.

Visuals from the scene showed thick plumes of smoke billowing from the crash site, prompting panic in the surrounding residential area.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, who was in Vijayawada attending the first anniversary events of the NDA Government, rushed to Ahmedabad immediately upon receiving news of the flight crash.

Here's the Ahmedabad Airport Emergency Contact Number: 079-22869211. This number connects you to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPI), Ahmedabad for emergency or urgent assistance.

Helpline Numbers for AI171 Crash Assistance: 011-24610843 | 9650391859; Issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to assist those seeking information or support following the Ahmedabad plane crash.