Tragic Air India Flight crash Near Ahmedabad: At Least 40 Confirmed Dead
In a devastating incident, an air India flight, AI-171, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport, claiming the lives of at least 40 individuals. The aircraft, which was en route to London, took off at approximately 1:10 PM and tragically went down in the Meghani Nagar area, engulfed in flames. Emergency services rushed to the scene, with over fifteen fire engines deployed to combat the blaze.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reported that the flight carried a total of 242 people, including 230 passengers, 10 crew members, and 2 pilots. The pilots, Captain Sumit Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, were among those on board. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude, leading to fears that the casualty count could rise. Local authorities have cordoned off the area, and rescue operations are underway, with injured passengers being transported to nearby hospitals.
Ahmedabad’s Police Commissioner, G.S. Malek, confirmed the crash and stated that Home Minister Amit Shah has reached out to Gujarat’s Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, assuring all necessary support from the central government. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu is also en route to the site. The incident has drawn condolences from various political leaders, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, highlighting the national grief over this tragic event.
