An Air India flight, AI171, en route from Ahmedabad, India, to London Gatwick, crashed on Thursday immediately after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national, went down in the Meghaninagar area near the airport. Rescue operations are underway, and the injured are being taken to nearby hospitals. The airport is currently closed, and flight operations have been suspended. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an investigation into the cause of the crash. Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has expressed shock and directed all relevant agencies to provide immediate assistance. An Operational Control Room has been activated at the Ministry of Civil Aviation to coordinate efforts.
