Air India Plane Crash in Gujarat (Ahmedabad)

The crash occurred around 13:38, with the aircraft losing altitude and sending a "Mayday" distress signal before slamming into the BJ Medical College hostel in Meghaninagar, triggering a massive fire.

At least 241 of the 242 people on board were killed, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Only one British national survived.

The crash also claimed the lives of at least 10 people in the hostel, including medical students and staff, with over 60 others injured.

The black box (flight recorder) has been recovered, aiding the ongoing investigation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the crash site; a high-level committee has been formed to investigate the incident.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deploying seven teams.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has partially resumed operations, while Vande Bharat trains are being diverted to assist stranded passengers.

The official cause of the crash is still under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest the aircraft failed to gain altitude and may not have retracted its landing gear in time.

Helpline numbers for families: 011-24610843, 9650391859, 1800 5691 444 (Air India).

This marks one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent years, with international teams (US, UK) participating in the probe.