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Air India has updated its social media profile picture to a black icon on Thursday in response to the tragic incident involving one of its London-bound flights. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which was transporting 242 individuals, crashed in the Meghani region close to Ahmedabad airport just five minutes after departing.
The Air India aircraft, carrying 242 individuals, went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon, following a MAYDAY distress signal, as reported by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
N Chandrasekaran, the chairperson of the Tata Group, also released a statement regarding the Air India passenger plane incident on Thursday. He expressed profound sorrow and confirmed, “I extend my deepest condolences and thoughts to the families and loved ones of all those impacted by this heartbreaking situation.”
The accident took place in the Meghaninagar vicinity, just beyond the perimeter of Ahmedabad airport. The area was swiftly secured, and emergency personnel, including fire and rescue units, were dispatched to the location.
“Fire engulfed the aircraft post-crash, prompting the immediate arrival of fire trucks to extinguish the flames,” reported fire officer Jayesh Khadia.
Ahmedabad police commissioner GS Malik noted, “A plane has crashed in the Meghaninagar area adjacent to the airport. The specific type of aircraft involved remains unclear at this time.”
The DGCA has sent a team from Delhi to carry out a thorough investigation. Presently, there are no confirmed reports of casualties, and rescue efforts are still in progress.
Officials have requested the public to refrain from entering the vicinity while emergency procedures are ongoing.
The Air India aircraft that met with this unfortunate incident was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registration VT-ANB, known for its excellent safety record prior to this event.
Onboard were 242 individuals—230 passengers and 12 crew members—when the aircraft went down near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
The jet was heavily loaded with fuel for its long-haul flight, which officials suggest could have exacerbated the fire following the crash.
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