An Air India passenger plane carrying 244 individuals crashed in Ahmedabad, India, while en route to London's Gatwick Airport. The tragic incident occurred just five minutes after takeoff, with the aircraft plunging into a residential area near the airport.

Reports from local media outlets and visuals on television channels depicted smoke rising from the crash site in Ahmedabad, a bustling city with a population exceeding 5 million residents.

Director General of the Directorate of Civil Aviation, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, confirmed that Air India flight AI 171, operated by a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, went down in a neighborhood called Meghani Nagar. The flight was scheduled to depart at 1:38 p.m. local time.

The ill-fated flight carried a total of 232 passengers and 12 crew members, all of whom were heading to London's Gatwick Airport. Unfortunately, the flight never made it to its intended destination.

Following the crash, Gatwick Airport announced that the flight, originally set to land at 6:25 p.m. in London, had met with a tragic fate during takeoff.

India's Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, assured the public that rescue operations were underway, with a focus on providing medical assistance and relief efforts to those affected by the crash.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a popular widebody aircraft with twin engines, experienced its first-ever crash with this incident, as reported by the Aviation Safety Network database. Introduced in 2009, over 1,000 Dreamliners have been delivered to various airlines worldwide.

In response to the tragedy, Air India's chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, emphasized the airline's commitment to supporting the affected individuals and their families. An emergency center and support team have been established to assist families seeking information about their loved ones on board the flight.

Chandrasekaran expressed heartfelt condolences to all those impacted by the devastating crash, stating, "Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event."