NNA - An Air India flight bound for London’s Gatwick Airport crashed minutes after take-off from Ahmedabad on Thursday, killing at least 133 people and injuring several others, officials confirmed.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people — including 217 adults and 11 children — lost control shortly after departure at 1:39 pm local time and crashed in a densely populated residential area near the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

The aircraft gave a “Mayday” call moments after take-off, as confirmed by Air Traffic Control, before all communication ceased. The flight, operating under registration number VT-ANB, was scheduled for an international route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft veered off the runway and crashed just beyond the airport perimeter, striking a building identified as a doctor’s hostel. Rescue teams swiftly reached the scene, where black smoke and fire engulfed the area, prompting a large-scale emergency operation.--agencies

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