Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, at approximately 1:38 PM IST today. The London-bound flight, carrying approximately 242 passengers and crew, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members, reportedly collided with the airport’s periphery wall and came down in the Meghaninagar area, a residential neighborhood near the airport.

Dense black smoke was observed rising from the crash site, prompting an immediate response from emergency services. Fire brigades, local police, and three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed to the scene, with all roads leading to the area sealed off to support rescue operations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, was operated by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and no official statement has been released regarding casualties or survivors.

Air India posted a statement on X, confirming the incident and directing the public to their website and X handle for updates. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is coordinating with Gujarat’s Chief Minister and Police Commissioner to ensure a robust response, while Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu is traveling to Ahmedabad to oversee operations. Unverified reports have mentioned former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani as a possible passenger, but this has not been officially confirmed.

This is a developing situation, and further details are awaited.

Note: All information is based on available reports as of 2:46 PM IST.