An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed just minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon, killing all 242 people on board.
The aircraft, bound for London Gatwick, took off at 1:38 p.m. local time but plummeted into a densely populated residential area in Meghani Nagar, triggering a massive explosion and fire. Thick plumes of black smoke rose over the city skyline as emergency services rushed to the scene.
According to Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft was carrying 230 passengers, along with 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew members. The flight was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with First Officer Clive Kundar as co-pilot.
Kidwai confirmed the nationalities of those on board, and they include 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian citizen.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by this tragedy. “Our prayers are with the families of the deceased,” Kidwai stated.
In response to the crash, all flights to and from Ahmedabad Airport have been suspended until further notice.
According to authorities, the crash caused extensive damage to several buildings and vehicles in the Meghani Nagar area.
Preliminary assessments suggest the aircraft’s full fuel load may have contributed to the scale of destruction, though the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
A large-scale rescue and relief operation was launched immediately, involving medical teams, firefighters, and disaster response units. Emergency personnel worked to contain the blaze, assess structural damage, and provide aid to affected residents in the crash zone.
Officials from the DGCA, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), and representatives from Boeing have headed to Ahmedabad to initiate a formal investigation into the crash.
Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran expressed deep sorrow in a statement following the tragedy.
“Our primary focus is on supporting all affected families. We are working closely with emergency response teams at the crash site and will provide all necessary support and care.” the Air India chairman stressed.
The Indian government is expected to declare a national day of mourning and announce compensation packages for the families of the victims.
This incident marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Indian service and the deadliest air disaster in India since the 2020 Air India Express crash in Kozhikode, which killed 21 people.
