A London-bound Air India Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner operating flight AI171 crashed during its takeoff from Ahmedabad this afternoon. Eyewitnesses reported multiple explosions, followed by thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the area as the aircraft struck the perimeter wall and came down in the densely populated Meghani Nagar neighborhood.
The aircraft reportedly carried between 133 and 242 people—with conflicting numbers emerging from various sources. Emergency services, including firefighters and ambulances, were dispatched immediately; roads leading to the site have been sealed for rescue operations. Early live updates suggest former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani may have been among those on board. Neither state authorities nor the family have confirmed his presence yet, and no official statements have been released.
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and the state’s DGP to assess the situation. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India have launched investigations to determine the cause, with factors like mechanical failure or pilot error being examined.
Rescue operations are ongoing. Authorities are focused on confirming passenger manifests and identifying any prominent figures aboard. We’ll continue updating as official information becomes available.
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