New Delhi/Ahmedabad, June 12 (H.S): A Tata-led Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed into a residential area in Meghani Nagar just 2 minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport en route to London’s Gatwick Airport on Thursday. The accident resulted in a significant fire, and there were 242 individuals onboard, leading to heavy casualties. In mourning, Air India has blacked out its profile and logo. Following the incident, flight operations at Ahmedabad Airport resumed. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that operations had restarted and activated a control room to coordinate the response, providing contact numbers for inquiries: 011-24610843/9650391859.

A help desk is also being established at the airport for passengers' relatives. The aircraft's last signal was recorded at 625 feet shortly after takeoff before crashing into a mixed-use area, striking the BJ Medical College hostel mess and creating an intense fire with thick smoke. The wreckage revealed only the tail section remaining intact. Air India updated its social media profiles to a black theme as a sign of mourning and announced a helpline number: 1800 5691 444.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar