By Ghazali Ibrahim 
A devastating plane crash occurred today in Ahmedabad, India, when a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operated by Air India, flight AI171, plummeted to the ground shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
The aircraft, carrying 242 people, including 232 passengers and 12 crew members, was bound for London’s Gatwick Airport.
According to the video circulating on social media, the plane crashed in the Meghani Nagar residential area near the airport, resulting in a massive fireball and thick black smoke.
Emergency services, including fire brigades and medical teams, rushed to the scene, but the impact and subsequent fire have claimed lives.
According to reports, the aircraft struggled to gain lift right after takeoff, and investigators believe the plane’s engines may have failed to provide sufficient power.
The heavy fuel load, estimated to be around 120,000 liters, would have contributed to the severity of the crash.
The cause of the crash is still unknown, and investigators are working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The Ahmedabad airport has been temporarily shut down, and a massive rescue operation is underway.
The Indian authorities have expressed their deepest condolences to the families of the victims.
