A devastating air disaster unfolded in the early hours of Thursday morning when a large commercial jet traveling from India to London crashed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8, had 242 passengers on board and went down near residential neighborhoods in Ahmedabad, prompting a massive emergency response. Rescue teams are urgently working through the rubble, searching for any sign of life in what is feared to be one of the deadliest aviation accidents in India in recent years.

The crash occurred just moments after departure, and authorities believe the loss of life may be total. Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik confirmed the grim outlook in a press briefing to the media.

“It appears there are no survivors in the plane crash,” Commissioner Malik told the Associated Press.

Because the aircraft crashed into populated areas of the city, the damage extended beyond the passengers and crew. Local residents are also believed to be among the dead or injured.

“Some locals would have also died,” Malik added.

“Exact figures on casualties are being ascertained,” he said, noting that authorities were still assessing the full scope of the tragedy.

Videos from the crash site show horrifying scenes of chaos and destruction. Residents are seen sprinting toward rising black smoke and flames engulfing nearby buildings. The impact of the crash set multiple structures ablaze, including a hostel believed to house medical professionals, Reuters reported.

WATCH:

Please pray for those who lost their lives in the Air India plane crash that had 242 passengers on board.

Info: ANI pic.twitter.com/syzVZN3PAa

— Sachin Jose (@Sachinettiyil) June 12, 2025

The airliner’s sudden descent and explosive crash caught residents off guard, and emergency services were quickly overwhelmed. A senior police official told reporters that approximately 70% to 80% of the affected area had been cleared as of Thursday afternoon, with efforts continuing to secure and search the remaining zone.

Despite the scale of the disaster, Air India announced on X (formerly Twitter) that it has resumed limited flight operations, suggesting some normalization of service even as the investigation and recovery continue.

The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through India, a nation that has experienced rapid growth in air travel in recent years. The crash has also reignited global concerns about the safety of Boeing aircraft, especially following a string of recent safety issues and accidents involving the aerospace giant.

Air India, which has a long and complex history, has previously faced scrutiny for its safety record. The airline was acquired in 2022 by the Tata Group, a major Indian conglomerate, in what was widely regarded as a symbolic return to its roots. CNN reported that Air India was originally founded in 1932 by J.R.D. Tata and later nationalized by the Indian government in 1953.

Despite the promise of new ownership, the airline has continued to face challenges. Notably, an Air India Express flight in 2020 crashed while attempting to land, killing at least 18 people. In another troubling incident in 2018, an Air India Boeing 737 struck a wall shortly after takeoff.

India’s worst aviation tragedy occurred in 2010, when an Air India plane overshot the runway during landing, resulting in the deaths of 158 people.

In the wake of Thursday’s crash, Boeing released a statement offering condolences and pledging support for those affected.

“Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected,” the company posted on X. Boeing also stated that it is “ready to support” the families of victims as well as Air India employees during this difficult time.

As investigations continue, authorities and aviation experts are expected to closely examine the cause of the crash and whether mechanical failure, human error, or other factors were involved.