An Air India flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport today, killing over 200 people. Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, went down at 1:43 p.m. local time in Meghani Nagar, striking the B.J. Medical College hostel. Authorities report no survivors are expected.
The plane carried 242 passengers and crew, including 169 Indians, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian. The crash claimed at least five medical students on the ground and injured 25 others. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is probing the cause, with early reports noting a “Mayday” call and the landing gear unusually down. This marks the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the tragedy “heartbreaking” and mobilized rescue efforts. The National Disaster Response Force is clearing the site, and DNA testing is underway to identify victims. The airport resumed limited operations by 4:05 p.m. IST. International leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III, expressed condolences
