A heartbreaking and developing situation is unfolding in India right now.
In a horrifying turn of events, an Air India flight en route from Ahmedabad to London has crashed just moments after takeoff.
There were 242 people reportedly on board.
Massive rescue and recovery operations are underway at the crash site, as emergency crews rush to the scene to search for survivors and provide aid.
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There were 242 passengers and crew members on board the Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday, the airline said in a statement.
“Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals,” Air India said.
Air India flight AI171 was scheduled to depart from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, bound for London Gatwick, at 9.50 a.m. local time, according to aviation tracker FlightRadar24.
Eyewitnesses report seeing smoke and flames near the takeoff corridor, though full details are still emerging. The cause of the crash remains unknown, and authorities have not yet released an official statement regarding casualties or survivors.
Families of passengers are anxiously awaiting word as rescue teams work tirelessly in the wreckage. Hospitals have been placed on high alert, and officials are urging the public to avoid spreading unverified information.
We will continue to follow this developing story as new details become available. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this unthinkable tragedy.