A tragic air disaster hit Gujarat on Thursday when an Air India passenger aircraft, allegedly heading to London, plummeted in the heavily populated Meghani Nagar locality of Ahmedabad just minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The plane had 242 on board, comprising passengers and crew.
What happened
Eyewitnesses described the plane descending just outside the airport perimeter, with huge clouds of smoke pouring out of the wreckage. The crash site was in a residential area, sparking worries of casualties both on board and on the ground. Footage from the scene indicates emergency responders and fire trucks mobilizing to the scene, which has been sealed off entirely by the authorities to allow for rescue and relief operations.
Immediate response
Rescue forces, such as emergency medical services and fire brigade, are busy putting out the fire and trying to find survivors. Local police and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are at the location, and a formal probe into the reason for the crash has been initiated. The make and model of the plane are yet to be confirmed.
Casualties and survivors
There is no official confirmation yet on the number of fatalities or survivors. Early reports were conflicting, with some placing the number of passengers at 133, but Air India and airport officials have confirmed that the number on board was 242. The extent of injuries and fatalities remains to be ascertained as rescue efforts are on.
Area sealed, investigation underway
All the entrances to Meghani Nagar have been sealed off, and residents are asked to keep away from the area to enable emergency responders to move freely. The accident has created a lot of congestion in the city, and the authorities have appealed for calm as they try to contain the situation.
What's next
Authorities will continue to give updates on the condition of passengers, the reason for the crash, and rescue efforts as information becomes available. Air India is also working with government agencies to coordinate with affected families and deal with the crisis.