Ahmedabad, Gujarat: An Air India passenger aircraft crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday, shortly after takeoff. The exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed as rescue operations continue.
The incident occurred in the Meghani Nagar area, close to the airport boundary. Initial reports indicate that the plane went down soon after departure, though authorities have not yet officially confirmed the cause or timeline of the crash.
Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the number of passengers onboard. While news agency ANI stated the flight was carrying 242 people, other sources estimated over 300 passengers and crew.
Dramatic visuals from the site showed thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the wreckage. Emergency teams, including fire brigades and disaster response units, rushed to the scene. Over five fire tenders from across the city were deployed to contain the blaze.
“The firefighting team acted swiftly as a precautionary measure. Multiple fire engines are at the location, and efforts to control the flames are ongoing,” said a senior official from the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services.
Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have initiated investigations into the crash. A technical team has also been dispatched to examine the wreckage and determine the cause of the accident.
Authorities have not yet released further details, and an official statement on the incident is awaited. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.
