A serious aviation accident occurred today in India involving Air India Flight AI171, which was traveling from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff, causing widespread concern and prompting emergency response efforts.
The flight was carrying 242 people on board, including 232 passengers and 12 crew members. Among those onboard were 53 British nationals, according to the airline.
The plane went down in Meghani Nagar, a residential area near Ahmedabad Airport in Gujarat, Indian Civil Aviation Director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai confirmed. Flight tracking services reported the aircraft lost contact moments after departure around 1:38 p.m. local time. Thick smoke was seen rising from the crash site, and emergency teams were quickly dispatched.
Images and videos shared on social media show debris scattered in the area, including parts of the plane’s fuselage and tail.
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