A heartbreaking incident rocked Ahmedabad on Thursday as an Air India Dreamliner carrying 242 people crashed just minutes after takeoff. The aircraft, bound for Gatwick airport in the UK, went down in a civilian area, leaving devastation in its wake.
Reports indicate that the 242 souls on board included 217 adults and 11 children from diverse backgrounds – among them 169 Indian nationals, 43 Britons, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian. Rescue teams wasted no time, with over two dozen ambulances rushing to the scene while local police diverted traffic to enable safe operations.
Authorities have already cleared 70-80% of the crash area, which notably included a building hosting a doctors' hostel. India's civil aviation minister, Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, expressed his shock over the tragedy and confirmed that all aviation and emergency response agencies are on high alert. Our thoughts go out to the families affected during this immensely difficult time. 😢
Even though the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is among the most modern aircraft in service today, this tragic event underscores the ongoing need for stringent safety measures and rapid emergency responses. Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops.
Reference(s):
Air India plane with 242 crashes near Ahmedabad, 'many killed'
cgtn.com
