Air India Flight AI171 Suffers Accident After Takeoff from Ahmedabad; 242 on Board

Air India confirmed that flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed on Thursday after takeoff. The flight, which departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1338 hours, was carrying 242 people, comprising of passengers and crew. There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals and 1 Canadian national on board. The injured are receiving medical attention. The airport has suspended operations until further notice. According to a senior DGCA official, the aircraft, a Boeing 787-8, crashed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft departed from runway 23, gave a mayday call, and subsequently lost communication with air traffic control. Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu is personally monitoring the situation and coordinating the response. An operational control room has been activated at the Ministry of Civil Aviation.