In a catastrophic tragedy, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to London’s Gatwick Airport crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, killing all 240 people on board. The crash occurred in a densely populated area known as Meghani Nagar, five minutes after the aircraft took off at 1:38 p.m. local time. The plane, fully loaded with fuel, ignited a massive blaze as it slammed into a residential complex, with fire and smoke engulfing parts of a nearby medical college hostel.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that one Canadian was among the victims and expressed his sorrow on social media, calling the news “devastating.” Carney stated that Canadian transportation officials are in contact with international counterparts as more details unfold. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also responded, noting that many British nationals were aboard the flight and described the incident as “devastating.” Air India reported that among the 242 passengers and crew, 169 were Indian citizens, 53 were British, seven were Portuguese, and one was Canadian.
Indian authorities, including Police Commissioner G.S. Malik, confirmed there were no survivors and warned that locals may also have perished due to the crash site’s proximity to residential and academic facilities. Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames from both the wreckage and surrounding buildings. Faiz Ahmed Kidwai of the Directorate of Civil Aviation said 244 people were on the flight, though Air India’s official figure was two fewer, and the discrepancy is under review.
The Boeing 787 involved in the crash marks the first time this aircraft model has experienced a fatal accident since its introduction in 2009. Boeing has acknowledged the incident and stated it is collecting more information. With over 1,000 Dreamliners in operation worldwide, the crash has renewed scrutiny of Boeing’s safety record just days ahead of the Paris Air Show.
India’s Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said relief and medical support efforts are underway at the crash site. Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran announced the creation of a crisis center and support teams for the families of the victims, offering condolences and pledging full assistance. The United Kingdom, with its strong diaspora ties to India, also committed to providing support to families affected both in the U.K. and abroad. This incident is India’s deadliest air disaster since 2020 and adds to a long history of aviation tragedies in the region.
