Air India Flight Crashes Near Ahmedabad Airport, Rescue Ops On
An Air India passenger flight headed for London crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Wednesday, sending shockwaves across the aviation sector. The aircraft, carrying 242 people, including crew and passengers, crashed in the Meghani area near the airport, triggering a large-scale emergency response.
Immediate Emergency Response Deployed
Thick smoke was seen rising near the crash site, and local fire brigades along with disaster response teams were rushed to the area. Rescue personnel are currently engaged in evacuation, firefighting, and trauma support. While the full casualty count remains unconfirmed, preliminary visuals suggest extensive structural damage and a potentially high toll.
Residents near the crash zone reported a loud explosion followed by flames, with many houses damaged by falling debris. Hospitals in the vicinity have been put on high alert and ambulances are ferrying injured survivors to trauma care units.
Flight Details and Circumstances
The Air India flight was bound for London’s Heathrow Airport and had just taken off when it lost altitude and crashed a few kilometers from the runway. According to officials, the flight took off as scheduled, and all initial systems appeared normal until contact was lost moments later.
The exact cause of the crash remains unknown, but early speculation points to a possible technical malfunction during ascent. Black box recovery and cockpit communication logs will be central to the investigation.
Market Impact and Aviation Sector Reaction
The crash sent ripples through the financial markets, with aviation stocks witnessing a sharp dip in intraday trading. Shares of airline companies and airport operators saw immediate declines, reflecting growing investor anxiety over aviation safety and operational reliability.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid spreading misinformation and await official updates. Helpline numbers have been issued for families of those onboard, and the government has promised full support for the rescue and recovery efforts.
Full-Scale Investigation Initiated
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other relevant regulatory bodies have launched a formal investigation. A high-level inquiry committee will probe the sequence of events, review maintenance logs, examine air traffic control exchanges, and determine accountability.
Officials have confirmed that both black boxes—the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder—will be recovered and analyzed to establish what went wrong. Meanwhile, the area has been cordoned off and security tightened to ensure proper forensic work.
