A London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, sparking massive rescue operations and raising concerns about aviation safety. Among the passengers confirmed killed was Vijay Rupani, former Chief Minister of Gujarat. His demise was confirmed by Union Minister CR Patil.

Rupani, 68, was reportedly traveling to London to visit his daughter and was seated in seat 2D of the ill-fated Air India Flight AI-171.

The aircraft departed from Runway 23 at 1:39 PM IST. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the flight issued a "MAYDAY" call shortly after takeoff, but no further communication was received. Just two minutes into its ascent, at around 1:40 PM, the aircraft lost altitude and plummeted into a medical college hostel building in the Meghani Nagar area, erupting in a massive fireball. The crash site is outside the airport perimeter, and the plane reached an altitude of only 625 feet before impact.

Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar were commanding the flight, which had 232 passengers and 10 crew members on board, en route to London Gatwick. Air India released a statement on X confirming the passenger breakdown: "The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals."

Rescue personnel on the ground have reported the recovery of the aircraft's black box, which will be crucial in determining the exact cause of this tragic accident. Investigators will prioritize the recovery of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). These devices will provide precise engine performance parameters, control surface positions, system warnings, cockpit audio, and crew communications, offering a second-by-second reconstruction of events leading up to the crash.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is considered one of the most advanced jets in service and has maintained a strong safety record globally, with no previous fatal accidents involving the model.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his profound grief over the tragedy. In a post on X, PM Modi stated, "The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words." He added, "In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected."