In a tragic incident on Thursday afternoon, an Air India flight en route to London crashed shortly after takeoff near the Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad. The aircraft, carrying over 200 passengers along with crew members, went down in a populated locality close to the airport, leading to panic and chaos among local residents. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the site as emergency response teams rushed to the scene.

According to fire officer Jayesh Khadia, the aircraft caught fire upon impact, prompting the deployment of multiple fire tenders to control the blaze. “A plane crashed in the Meghaninagar area near the airport. It is not yet clear what type of plane it was,” said Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik. The flames were intense, and it took considerable time for the firefighting units to begin controlling the situation amid the wreckage.

While the exact cause of the crash is yet to be determined, preliminary reports suggest the aircraft encountered technical difficulties shortly after takeoff. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to initiate a detailed investigation. As rescue operations continue and officials gather more information, the nation waits anxiously for updates on casualties and survivors.