A London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 people on board in India’s worst recent air disaster

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]hmedabad Plane Crash live updates indicate a devastating air disaster occurred on Thursday.

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A London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, resulting in the tragic loss of 241 lives on board.

Only one person miraculously survived the catastrophic incident.

This event marks the country’s worst air disaster in recent times. Among those confirmed killed in the crash was former Gujarat Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani.

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site to personally assess the grim situation and coordinate response efforts.

Officials reported that Air India flight AI 171 lost altitude shortly after its departure at approximately 1:30 PM.

The aircraft then crashed into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College doctors in the Meghaninagar area, combusting in a fiery blaze that sent colossal plumes of thick black smoke spiralling into the air.

Air Traffic Control at Ahmedabad confirmed that the pilot had issued a ‘Mayday’ distress call, signifying a full emergency, very soon after takeoff.

Aviation experts, analysing available visuals, have suggested that a lack of thrust in both engines and a potential bird strike could be among the probable causes for the crash.

Visuals from the wreckage area depicted grim scenes of bodies being recovered and numerous injured individuals, many suffering from severe burns, being urgently wheeled into the nearby city civil hospital.

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In response to the tragedy, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu, announced that the Centre has formed a high-level committee to conduct a thorough probe into the crash, aiming to determine the exact cause and prevent future occurrences.