A London-bound Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon, sparking a massive emergency response and widespread concern.
According to the BBC, the aircraft went down in the Meghani area of Ahmedabad, just minutes after takeoff.
Eyewitnesses reported a deafening explosion followed by a towering plume of black smoke. Emergency services, including fire brigades and ambulances, rushed to the site to carry out rescue operations.
“It was terrifying. We heard a loud boom and saw thick smoke rising into the sky,” said Manish Patel, a resident of the Meghani neighborhood. “People came running from nearby houses. We could feel the heat from a distance.”
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, 242 people were on board the aircraft — comprising 230 passengers, two pilots, and ten cabin crew members. The flight, scheduled for a long-haul journey to London, was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with First Officer Clive Kundar assisting.
Due to the extensive fueling required for the transcontinental trip, the impact of the crash resulted in a massive explosion and fire, making rescue efforts more challenging.
While there is no official word yet on casualties, officials confirmed that emergency protocols were activated immediately. “Our teams are on-site and fully engaged in search and rescue operations,” a DGCA spokesperson stated. “We are also initiating a formal investigation into the incident.”
A technical team from Boeing is also expected to join the probe in coordination with Indian aviation authorities.
The cause of the crash remains unknown at this time.