Fear of fatalities as Air India plane crashes in Ahmedabad

A London-bound Air India flight crashed during take-off at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday evening, triggering a major emergency response from city and airport authorities.

The incident occurred on the airport tarmac during what officials described as routine operations. Preliminary information suggests the aircraft veered off the runway, although the exact cause has yet to be officially confirmed. As emergency protocols were activated, multiple fire and rescue teams rushed to the site.

According to a senior official from the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services Department, at least five fire-fighting vehicles were deployed from different divisions of the city. “Fire control measures are being carried out as a precautionary step. Our teams are actively involved in managing the situation,” the official said.

The aircraft was reportedly carrying 242 passengers at the time of the incident. While authorities have not yet confirmed the number of injuries, local media reports suggest that several passengers may have sustained injuries during the crash.

Eyewitnesses in the nearby Meghani Nagar area—located close to the airport—reported hearing a loud noise, followed by clouds of smoke rising from the crash site. There were initial reports that the aircraft may have impacted a part of the surrounding residential area, although this could not be independently verified at the time of filing.