London-Bound Passenger Jet Crashes Shortly After Takeoff in India With 242 Aboard

A devastating aviation tragedy occurred in the Indian city of Ahmedabad when a London-bound Air India passenger plane crashed shortly after takeoff, carrying 242 passengers on board.

The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was seen flying unusually low over a densely populated residential area before it crashed and burst into a massive fireball. Eyewitness videos captured the horrific moment, showing thick black smoke rising over the skyline.

According to multiple sources, including Sky News and flight-tracking service Flightradar24, the aircraft lost communication shortly after departure. The crash site was identified as Meghani Nagar, a crowded residential neighborhood just outside Ahmedabad Airport in Gujarat state. Towering plumes of smoke helped pinpoint the location. Emergency response teams rushed to the scene within moments of the incident.

India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, issued a public statement shortly after the incident, assuring the public that swift action was being taken:

"I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action. Rescue teams have been mobilized. All efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are rushed to the site. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families."

Initial police reports were grim, indicating that there were no survivors found in the immediate aftermath. However, as rescue operations intensified, hopes were raised when Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik announced the possibility that some individuals might have survived the crash.

Among those reported to have survived was 40-year-old British national, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. Footage believed to be from local residents shows Ramesh—who was reportedly seated in 11A—communicating with people on the ground.

He was heard recounting the terrifying moment:

"Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly."

In a chilling testimony, a local doctor named Krishna (who chose not to disclose his full name) spoke of the sheer destruction:

"One half of the plane crashed into the residential building where doctors lived with their families. The nose and front wheel landed on the canteen building where students were having lunch."

Gatwick Airport, the intended destination of the ill-fated flight AI171, confirmed in a statement:

“We can confirm that flight AI171 that crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25.”

Aviation expert Julian Bray, speaking with The Daily Mail, noted:

“It’s a Boeing Dreamliner that has gone down—not certain whether they’ve managed to get anybody off the plane. If it has indeed crash-landed and they can deploy the chutes out, then they should be able to get people off in 90 seconds. I am aware there are fire appliances in attendance—this is a major incident.
It is very disappointing that it is a Dreamliner as it is a state-of-the-art Boeing. We cannot rule out security issues. But this is all speculation on my part.”

Adding to the discussion, Jason Knight, a senior lecturer in fluid mechanics at the University of Portsmouth, shared his analysis of what might have gone wrong:

“It is very unlikely that the plane was overweight or carrying too much fuel. The aircraft is designed to be able to fly on one engine, so the most likely cause of the crash is a double engine failure. The most likely cause of a double engine failure is a bird strike.”

Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. Until more concrete information is revealed, speculation continues as to what could have brought down a state-of-the-art aircraft so soon after takeoff.

This tragic event has shaken both India and the United Kingdom. As emergency services continue rescue and recovery efforts, families of those onboard await news with heavy hearts.

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