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A London-bound Air India flight carrying 242 people crashed into a building shortly after takeoff Thursday from Ahmedabad International Airport, resulting in what officials fear may be one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Indian history.
Rescue workers spent hours combing through charred wreckage and collapsed buildings in the bustling western Indian city, while emergency teams recovered at least 204 bodies, according to Kanan Desai, a senior police official. That figure includes passengers aboard the flight and victims on the ground.
“It appears there are no survivors in the plane crash,” said Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik, adding that some local residents were likely killed when the aircraft smashed into a residential and office complex during lunchtime.
The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed around 1:10 p.m. local time, minutes after departing for London Heathrow. Surveillance footage and videos shared on social media showed thick plumes of black smoke rising from a devastated area south of the airport.
Victims and Nationalities
An airline spokesperson confirmed that the plane was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian. The nationalities of the crew have not yet been disclosed.
Photos from the scene shared by India’s central police force showed the plane’s tail protruding from a building wall, surrounded by debris and burned wreckage.
While some local reports suggested one possible survivor, officials have not confirmed any rescue from among those aboard the aircraft.
International Reaction and Government Response
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X, calling the crash “heartbreaking beyond words.”
“In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it,” Modi said.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed that he is “personally monitoring” the response effort and has mobilized emergency agencies to provide medical aid and relief.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the crash “devastating” and said he is receiving regular updates. King Charles III has also been informed of the tragedy.
Boeing Responds, Shares Plunge
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8, last sent a signal seconds after takeoff, according to flight tracking service Flightradar24.
Boeing issued a statement saying it is aware of the reports and is gathering more information. The crash sent Boeing shares tumbling more than 8% in premarket trading Thursday.
India, which has some of the strictest aviation safety standards in the world, has not seen a major commercial air crash of this scale in recent years. The country’s air safety rules were strengthened after a wave of bombings and hijackings in the late 20th century.
Air India and Tata Group Mobilize
Air India, which came under the control of the Tata Group in 2022, said it has activated an emergency center for affected families.
“Our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families,” said Tata Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran in a statement posted on X.
As rescue teams continue to search for possible survivors, questions are growing about what caused the crash—whether mechanical failure, pilot error, or something more sinister.
An official investigation is expected to begin immediately, as the country and international community mourn a tragic day in aviation history.
