An Air India flight bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on Wednesday, June 12, the airline said in a statement.
Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, departed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:38 local time (0808 GMT) carrying 242 people, including passengers and crew.
According to the airline, the passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national.
The aircraft reportedly issued a “Mayday” distress call before disappearing from radar, Ahmedabad airport’s air traffic control told Reuters . No further communication was received following the call.
Citing officials, the Associated Press reported the aircraft went down in a residential area of Meghani Nagar. Visuals circulating on social media showed burning debris and thick black smoke rising near the airport.
Air India said several individuals sustained injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. No fatalities have been officially confirmed at this time.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
- With inputs from Reuters and AP
