An Air India passenger aircraft, flight AI171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick Airport, crashed on Thursday afternoon shortly after takeoff, sending shockwaves through the aviation world and prompting a swift emergency response from Indian authorities.

The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, departed Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38pm local time, carrying 242 people on board, including passengers and crew members.

Official statement

In an official statement shared on social media, Air India confirmed the accident, stating Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off.

Nationalities on board

The airline further disclosed the nationalities of those on board, identifying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, 1 Canadian national and 12 crew members.

Emergency services were dispatched immediately to the crash site, located on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. Rescue operations began swiftly, with injured passengers being transported to nearby hospitals for urgent medical treatment.

Also authorities have not yet confirmed the number of fatalities or the exact cause of the crash, though initial investigations are underway hence aviation experts and crash investigators are working closely with Boeing representatives to determine whether the crash was caused by mechanical failure, pilot error, weather conditions, or other factors.

Air India also announced it has activated emergency protocols and is working closely with embassies and consulates of the affected nationals to support families and provide necessary documentation and information.