Air India flight crashes after takeoff from Ahmedabad
AHMEDABAD, WASHINGTON: An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, crashed just after taking off from Ahmedabad airport on the afternoon of June 12. There was one survivor.
This tragic event is being called one of the worst aviation disasters in India's history. The flight was headed to London with 232 passengers and 10 crew members on board.
Tragically, the aircraft crashed into a hostel for medical college doctors, killing five students. Shocking visuals from the site show debris from the plane had torn through the wall of the hostel's dining hall, where food was still seen on some of the plates.
A video taken shortly before the crash shows the aircraft flying unusually low and struggling to climb. At 1:38 pm, the plane hit the ground and exploded in a massive fireball. It was fully loaded with fuel for the long-haul flight to London, which likely contributed to the intensity of the explosion.
Just minutes after take-off, the pilot issued a "Mayday" distress call, indicating a serious emergency. However, according to reports, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) received no further communication from the aircraft after that call.
Air India confirmed in a statement on the social media platform 'X' that the flight took off from Ahmedabad at 1:38 pm and was carrying 242 people. The airline provided a breakdown of nationalities on board: 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were British, one was Canadian, and seven were Portuguese.
Air India said the injured have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also confirmed that a "Mayday" call had been made. A "Mayday" is an internationally recognized emergency call sent over the radio when there is a life-threatening situation.
Air India announced the activation of a dedicated passenger helpline at 1800 5691 444 to provide updates and support for families and friends of those on board.
The airline also stated that it is fully cooperating with authorities in the ongoing investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
Meanwhile, Boeing said it was aware of reports of the plane crash in Ahmedabad and was working to gather more information, even as the company's shares tumbled in pre-market trading.
Boeing said in a brief statement: "We are aware of initial reports and are working to gather more information."
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