PRESS RELEASE:
An Air India passenger plane bound for London crashed Thursday afternoon in the city of Ahmedabad, India. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner went down just five minutes after takeoff.
The aircraft, operating as flight AI 171, departed from Ahmedabad airport at 1:38 p.m. It was heading to London’s Gatwick Airport. A total of 244 people were onboard, including 232 passengers and 12 crew members.
The crash occurred in Meghani Nagar, a densely populated residential area. Visuals showed thick smoke rising near the airport. Local and national authorities quickly launched emergency response efforts. Rescue teams were mobilized, and medical aid was dispatched to the crash site.
Officials from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed the aircraft model and flight path. The plane had been scheduled to land in London at 6:25 p.m. local time.
This incident marks the first recorded crash involving the Boeing 787 since its commercial debut in 2009. The Dreamliner is a twin-engine widebody aircraft widely used for international routes.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash. Further updates are expected as rescue operations continue and official assessments are released.
The preceding is a press release from the Thai Government PR Department.
