The Voice News: A tragic aviation accident has occurred in India’s western state of Gujarat, where an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. Authorities fear significant casualties, although the exact death toll has not yet been confirmed.According to Indian broadcaster NDTV, the ill-fated flight—Air India AI171—was en route from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to London Gatwick Airport. The aircraft went down between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM local time, just minutes after departure.Reuters, citing sources within India’s Civil Aviation Authority, reported that the plane crashed into a densely populated residential area near Ahmedabad. The impact triggered a massive fire, with video footage on social media showing the wreckage engulfed in flames and thick black smoke rising over the city skyline.Emergency response units rushed to the crash site, and multiple ambulances were seen transporting severely injured passengers to nearby hospitals. A local official confirmed that rescue operations are ongoing and that several victims remain in critical condition.In a brief statement posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), an Air India spokesperson confirmed the incident:> “Air India flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick has met with an accident. We are working to gather more details and will provide updates as soon as possible.”The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, a wide-body jet typically capable of carrying up to 300 passengers. While Indian media have reported on the scale of the crash, specific numbers regarding casualties or survivors have not yet been officially released.An official from India’s fire services told AFP that emergency teams are at the scene but declined to provide further information at this stage. Reports indicate that the crash occurred near Meghani, a residential locality, and that debris was scattered across the area.This is a developing story. More updates will follow as details emerge.
