Air India Boeing B787 Crashes in Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad; DGCA & Aviation Ministry Launch Investigation

In a devastating incident that has sent shockwaves across the nation, an Air India Boeing B787 aircraft, flight number AI-171, crashed into the Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad just seconds after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon. The flight was en route to Gatwick Airport, London, and had 242 people onboard, including 12 crew members.

The crash occurred at approximately 1:39 PM, moments after the aircraft took off from runway number 23. According to air traffic control (ATC) sources, the pilot made an emergency call immediately after liftoff, but before any further communication could take place, contact was lost.

Eyewitnesses in the Meghaninagar and Dharpur areas reported hearing a loud explosion in the sky followed by the aircraft nosediving and colliding with an under-construction building, resulting in a fiery crash. Thick black smoke and flames could be seen billowing from the wreckage as the aircraft hit the ground, causing panic in the nearby residential zones.

Within minutes, seven fire brigade vehicles, multiple police teams, and emergency response units rushed to the site. The area has since been completely cordoned off, with rescue and relief operations underway on a war footing. Officials have yet to release any formal information regarding casualties or injuries, but initial visuals suggest extensive damage and a high probability of fatalities.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and a high-level team from the Ministry of Civil Aviation have left for Ahmedabad to conduct a comprehensive investigation. In a statement issued shortly after the crash, DGCA confirmed the aircraft was Boeing 787 Dreamliner registered under Air India, and that it lost control moments after takeoff.

Social media is flooded with heart-wrenching visuals from the crash site. Videos show a dense column of smoke, broken parts of the fuselage scattered across the crash zone, and locals assisting emergency workers in initial rescue efforts.

The exact cause of the crash remains unclear. No technical malfunction or weather-related anomaly has been confirmed so far, but authorities have begun analyzing flight data, ATC records, and black box indicators to ascertain what led to the crash.

With widespread panic among citizens and a rising call for answers, security has been tightened in the surrounding neighborhoods, and all flights from Ahmedabad airport have been temporarily halted until further notice.

Nationwide prayers and concern pour in as families of the passengers wait anxiously for updates. The Prime Minister’s Office, as well as the Civil Aviation Minister, are expected to issue statements soon.

This marks one of the most tragic aviation accidents in recent Indian history, drawing immediate global attention due to the international route and the number of passengers aboard.