NEW DELHI: A passenger plane operated by Air India, flying from Ahmedabad to London, crashed moments after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft plunged into the Meghani locality within the city limits. Thick black smoke could be seen coming from crash site.The aircraft, bound for London, plunged into the Meghani area of the city, sending up a massive plume of black smoke and triggering an immediate emergency response.As per the initial reports, the aircraft, a wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliner, had a capacity of around 300 passengers and was carrying over 240 passengers at the time of the crash.Also read: Air India plane crashes near airport in Ahmedabad’s Meghani areaThe flight was heavily fueled for the long-haul journey, adding to the intensity of the explosion and fire that followed the crash. Multiple fire engines and ambulances were sent to the crash site to carry out rescue operations. There is currently no official confirmation on casualties. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was expected to initiate a formal investigation, along with a possible technical team from Boeing. Experts suggest that the heavy fuel load for the international route could have worsened the post-crash fire, complicating rescue efforts. Union home minister Amit Shah spoke to Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel, state home minister Harsh Sanghavi, and the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner regarding the incident. He assured that the Central govt will provide all necessary assistance to the state in managing the aftermath and investigation of the crash.
