Ahmedabad, June 12(HS): An Air India Dreamliner Boeing 787-8 aircraft flying from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon. The area where it fell also experienced heavy destruction. There were a total of 242 people on board, and hopes for their survival are bleak.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has ordered an investigation into the incident.Extensive relief and rescue operations are underway at the crash site. Upon receiving information about the accident, Union Home Minister Amit Shah headed to Ahmedabad. This incident has shaken the entire nation. The President, Prime Minister, Home Minister, Defense Minister, and several other leaders have expressed their condolences.The Air India aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff, falling onto a building of a medical college hostel in the Meghani Nagar area. Many students are feared to have died. Captain Sumit Sabharwal was flying the aircraft with co-pilot Clive Kunder.

The aircraft had 230 passengers, two pilots, and 10 other crew members on board. Among the passengers were 169 Indian citizens, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. The list of passengers also includes the name of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

According to Air India, the Boeing 787-8 took off at 1:38 PM. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), just moments after takeoff, the pilot signaled a 'Mayday' indicating a serious emergency, but thereafter there was no response from the aircraft to calls made by ATC. Shortly after, the plane crashed into an area near the airport, and black smoke began to rise from the crash site.The aircraft ascended only to an altitude of 625 feet after takeoff, but then began to descend at a rate of 400 feet per second, crashing onto a medical college hostel building in the Meghani Nagar area within 60-70 seconds.

The aircraft was engulfed in flames with a massive explosion, leaving it charred. Smoke was seen rising far and wide, and several students are also feared to have died in this incident.After the accident, Ahmedabad Commissioner GS Malik expressed concern, stating that it appears that no one has survived the plane crash. He mentioned that since the aircraft crashed in a residential area, where offices are also located, some local residents may have been affected as well. He stated that the exact number of casualties is being determined. DNA samples from the relatives of the passengers will be taken to identify the deceased.

Following the accident, CISF personnel immediately activated emergency protocols and arrived at the scene. A rescue operation was initiated in conjunction with local authorities and emergency services. Three teams of NDRF participated in the rescue operation at the site. A green corridor was established to the civil hospital in Ahmedabad, and the injured were admitted there.Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel described the accident as extremely unfortunate and tragic.

Chief Minister Patel, along with State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi and Health Minister Rishikesh Patel, visited the civil hospital to inquire about the injured. The state government has set up a control room at the state emergency operations center concerning the Ahmedabad plane crash. Individuals can contact the control room at phone number 079-232-51900 and mobile number 9978405304.

According to a social media post by Air India, a helpline number 1800 5691 444 has been established for passengers. In addition to the dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444, another hotline number +91 8062779200 has been added for foreign nationals.Air India has requested media personnel not to call the dedicated passenger hotline number. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will investigate the Air India plane accident at Ahmedabad Airport.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar