Guwahati: A major aviation disaster struck Gujarat on Thursday as an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed near the Ahmedabad airport shortly after take-off. The flight, which was reportedly en route to London, carried at least 242 passengers on board, according to preliminary information from the State Police Control Room.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion followed by thick plumes of smoke rising from Meghani Nagar, a densely populated residential area where parts of the aircraft wreckage landed. Visuals from the scene showed scattered debris engulfed in flames as emergency services rushed to contain the situation.
Initial accounts suggest the aircraft hit the periphery wall of the airport during take-off. The full extent of casualties or injuries remains unconfirmed, but the site of the crash being close to residential buildings has raised concerns about possible civilian harm in addition to those onboard.
Seven fire engines were immediately dispatched to the crash site as authorities cordoned off all roads leading to the area. The aircraft reportedly had a full load of fuel for its international journey, which could explain the intensity of the fire following the crash.
Although early reports identified the aircraft as an Air India Dreamliner, officials have yet to release an official confirmation of the aircraft make or flight number. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other relevant agencies are expected to begin investigations into the cause of the crash.
“Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest on http://airindia.com and on our X handle”, Air India said in their ‘X’ post.
This is a developing story, and more details will follow as they become available.