A passenger plane with over 200 people on board crashed on Thursday shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India.

Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner headed to London Gatwick, went down in the Meghani Nagar residential area, according to Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, director general of civil aviation. He told the Associated Press the crash occurred at 1:38 p.m. local time, five minutes after takeoff. The flight had 242 passengers and crew.

Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said, “It is with deep regret that I confirm the tragic accident involving Air India Flight 171, Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of all those affected by this devastating event.”

Local media images showed smoke rising from the crash site near the airport in northwest India. Reports indicate the plane issued a “mayday” call to air traffic control before crashing.

Chandrasekaran added, “Our immediate priority is to support all those affected and their families. We are committed to assisting the emergency teams at the site and providing the necessary support and care to those impacted.”

Air India reported that of the passengers, 169 are , 53 are British, 7 are Portuguese, and 1 is Canadian. The injured are being transported to local hospitals.

A senior police officer told Reuters, “The crash site is a doctors’ hostel… we have cleared approximately 70% to 80% of the area and will complete the clearance soon.”

London’s Gatwick Airport confirmed that “flight AI171, which crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today, was scheduled to arrive at London Gatwick at 18:25.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, “We are stunned and saddened by the tragedy in Ahmedabad.”

He added, “It is incredibly heartbreaking. My thoughts are with everyone affected during this difficult time. I have been in communication with ministers and authorities working to help those affected.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.”

India’s Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu posted on X that rescue teams have been deployed, and all efforts are focused on providing medical assistance and at the site.

“We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation,” he said.

The 787 Dreamliner is a widebody, twin-engine aircraft. According to the Aviation Safety Network database, this marks the first crash of a Boeing 787 aircraft.

Flightradar24 reports that the aircraft was introduced in 2009, and over 1,000 have been delivered to numerous airlines.

Boeing issued a statement saying, “We are aware of initial reports and are working to gather more information.”

In August 2020, an Air India Express Boeing-737 in southern India, resulting in 21 fatalities.

India’s deadliest air disaster occurred on Nov. 12, 1996, when a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight collided mid-air with a Kazakhastan Airlines Flight near Charki Dadri in Haryana state, killing all 349 people on both aircraft.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates. 

 

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