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A tragic plane crash occurred in India on Thursday when an Air India flight carrying 242 people went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport in the country’s western region. The aircraft, en route to London Gatwick, crashed into a residential neighbourhood, according to police and airline officials.
India’s Health Minister, Jagat Prakash Nadda, confirmed via the X platform (formerly Twitter) that there were “numerous fatalities,” though an exact number has not yet been released.
Fireball Over Homes as Cause Remains Unclear
Television footage captured the aircraft rapidly losing altitude, followed by a massive fireball erupting above the rooftops. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Austria’s Foreign Ministry reported that, based on current information, no Austrian nationals were aboard the flight.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner Involved
The downed aircraft was identified by Flightradar24 as a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, one of the most modern long-haul passenger jets in operation. Boeing’s stock dropped by 6.8% in pre-market trading in New York following the news. According to the Aviation Safety Network, this marks the first reported crash of a 787 Dreamliner.
Passenger Details and Nationalities
Air India confirmed the flight was bound for London Gatwick Airport. An insider revealed that among the 242 passengers were at least 11 children. The passenger manifest reportedly included 169 Indian citizens, 43 to over 50 British nationals (depending on sources), seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. The crew consisted of 12 members.
Crash Site: Housing for Medical Staff
Authorities stated the aircraft crashed into a residential complex used to house doctors, located near the airport. Emergency teams reported recovering at least 30 bodies from the wreckage, with several others still unaccounted for. Airport officials confirmed the plane had issued an emergency call shortly after takeoff.
Flight and Aircraft Details
The aircraft, registered as VT-ANB and in service for 11 years, was scheduled to depart at 1:10 p.m. local time and arrive in London at 6:25 p.m. According to Flightradar24 data, the aircraft reached an altitude of 625 feet before descending at 475 feet per minute. Ahmedabad, one of India’s largest cities, is home to over 5.6 million people, per the 2011 census.
Boeing’s Troubled Safety Record
The crash reignites concerns over Boeing’s safety record. In previous years, the aerospace company has faced intense scrutiny following two fatal crashes involving its 737 Max aircraft in 2018 and 2019, which killed a total of 346 people and led to a global grounding of the model. Only after extensive technical revisions was the aircraft allowed to return to service.
International Reactions
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his sorrow over the incident, calling the scenes in Ahmedabad “heartbreaking.” He extended his condolences to the victims and their families. King Charles III has been briefed on the tragedy, and the European Commission also offered its sympathies, stating, “Our thoughts are with all those affected, their relatives, families, and friends.”
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