A tragic aviation disaster unfolded early Thursday morning as an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The crash has claimed at least 30 lives, with fears the death toll may rise as emergency teams continue their search and rescue efforts.
Eyewitness footage posted on social media, including a widely circulated video shared by journalist Ihtisham Ul Haq, shows the harrowing final moments of Flight AI187. In the video, the aircraft appears to be in distress, with smoke trailing from one of the engines. Moments later, the plane dips sharply before disappearing behind residential buildings. A massive explosion follows, sending plumes of black smoke into the sky.
The aircraft, which was carrying 242 passengers and crew, lost altitude rapidly just minutes after departure. Initial reports suggest that both engines failed mid-air—an extremely rare occurrence that is raising urgent questions about potential mechanical or systemic issues with the aircraft.
Witnesses on the ground described scenes of horror as flaming debris rained down near a densely populated area. “We heard a loud bang, and the sky lit up,” said Rajiv Patel, a local resident. “People were screaming and running in all directions. It was like a war zone.”
Emergency services rushed to the scene within minutes. Firefighters, paramedics, and airport security coordinated efforts to extinguish the blaze and recover survivors from the wreckage. At least 50 people have been hospitalized, some with severe burns and trauma.
Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the cause of the crash. While engine failure is currently the leading theory, officials are not ruling out other possibilities, including sabotage or maintenance lapses. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has grounded similar aircraft pending safety inspections.
The crash bears haunting echoes of past aviation tragedies involving Air India, most notably the 1985 bombing of Flight 182, which killed all 329 people on board. That incident led to sweeping changes in aviation security worldwide.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “Deeply saddened by the Air India tragedy. Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives. Rescue operations are ongoing, and every possible support will be provided.”
Air India has set up emergency hotlines and grief support centers for families of the victims. The airline released a brief statement, expressing “deep sorrow” and pledging full cooperation with investigators.
As recovery efforts continue, the nation watches in grief and anxiety, awaiting answers about what caused one of the deadliest air disasters in recent Indian history.