A London-bound Air India flight met with a serious accident during take-off at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday evening, prompting a large-scale emergency response from local and airport authorities.
The mishap occurred on the runway during what was described as routine departure procedures. Initial findings suggest the aircraft veered off course, though the precise reason for the accident remains unconfirmed. Emergency teams, including multiple fire and rescue units, swiftly arrived at the scene to control the situation.
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According to an official from the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services, at least five fire trucks were dispatched from different parts of the city. “Firefighting efforts are ongoing as a precautionary measure. Our teams are actively engaged in handling the situation,” the official noted.
The flight was reportedly carrying 242 passengers. While authorities have yet to issue an official injury count, several local news sources indicate that multiple passengers may have been hurt during the incident.
Residents near Meghani Nagar, adjacent to the airport, reported hearing a loud explosion and saw plumes of smoke rising from the crash area. Some early, unconfirmed reports suggested the aircraft may have made contact with nearby residential areas.
Airport officials have commenced an internal probe to determine the cause of the crash, and a technical inspection of the aircraft is in progress. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been alerted and is expected to conduct a separate investigation.
Air India has not yet issued a public statement. Families of the passengers have gathered at the airport and nearby hospitals, anxiously waiting for updates on their loved ones.
