Air India London-Bound Flight Crashes in Ahmedabad, Killing at Least 265

Tragedy struck on Friday when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad, claiming the lives of at least 265 people, according to Indian officials.

The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control shortly after takeoff from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, prompting emergency search efforts.

Authorities have confirmed that the jet was carrying 242 people, including:

• 169 Indian nationals

• 53 British citizens

• 7 Portuguese passengers

• 1 Canadian

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanan Desai, at least 24 people on the ground are also believed to have died, with officials warning that the death toll may rise as body parts are still being recovered. 

Rescue teams, aided by sniffer dogs, are scouring the debris field at the densely populated crash site. Eyewitnesses reported a loud explosion and a massive fireball when the aircraft struck the neighborhood just minutes after takeoff.

This marks one of the deadliest air disasters in India's recent history, reigniting concerns over aviation safety and Air India's operational integrity.