Ahmedabad, June 12: In a major aviation tragedy, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Wednesday morning. The aircraft went down near the Meghani Nagar area, a densely populated part of the city, sending plumes of thick black smoke into the sky and triggering panic among local residents.

Eyewitnesses reported a loud explosion and debris falling as the aircraft appeared to lose altitude moments after takeoff. Emergency response teams, including fire brigades and ambulances, rushed to the site and cordoned off the area. Preliminary reports suggest that between 133 and 242 passengers were onboard at the time of the crash, though the exact number and extent of casualties remain unconfirmed as rescue operations continue.

Local authorities and Air India officials are on the ground assessing the situation, while the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Residents in the vicinity have been evacuated as a precautionary measure due to fire and debris hazards.

This developing story has sparked nationwide concern, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing his deep anguish over the incident and assuring all possible assistance to those affected.

Further updates are awaited as rescue efforts progress and authorities work to determine the full scale of the tragedy.

The flight, which departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 PM, was carrying a total of 242 passengers and crew members aboard a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Among the passengers, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, one is a Canadian national, and seven are Portuguese nationals. Following the accident, the injured are being transported to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. The extent of injuries has not yet been disclosed. 
In response to the incident, Air India has established a dedicated passenger hotline — 1800 5691 444 — to provide information and assistance to the families and loved ones of those on board. The airline has requested that members of the media refrain from calling this hotline to avoid disruption of support services.