Air India Flight Crash: First Image and Video from Ahmedabad AI171 Tragedy Go Viral

The first image and video footage from the devastating crash of Air India Flight AI171 have surfaced online, providing a harrowing glimpse into the scale of destruction near Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad. The aircraft, which was en route to London Gatwick with over 240 passengers onboard, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad's Adani Airport in the early hours of Thursday.

First Visuals from AI171 Crash Site

In the first video, thick black smoke is seen billowing from a building, with flames engulfing the wreckage of the aircraft. Locals can be heard shouting as emergency teams attempt to reach the debris. The video, now widely circulated on social media, was reportedly recorded just minutes after the impact.

The first image shows a massive plume of smoke rising above the city skyline, believed to be captured from a nearby high-rise. The wreckage appears to have collided with a residential structure near the airport's perimeter wall, causing secondary damage to surrounding areas.

These visuals have quickly gone viral, offering a chilling confirmation of earlier reports about the severity of the incident.

What Happened to AI171?

Flight AI171 took off at 1:38 PM IST from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, bound for London Gatwick. Within two minutes, the aircraft crashed near Meghani Nagar, approximately 2 kilometers from the runway.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud blast and seeing a fireball in the sky before the plane descended rapidly. Rescue teams rushed to the scene and are currently engaged in recovery and relief operations.

AI171 Flight Route Map: A Vital Link Cut Short

AI171 follows a direct international route from Ahmedabad to London, covering a distance of 6,859 kilometers in just over 9 hours. The flight is crucial for many passengers, especially those from the Gujarati diaspora in the UK. The crash has halted this key air corridor and raised urgent safety concerns.

The release of the first video and image from the crash site has sparked an outpouring of grief across social media. Hashtags like #AI171Crash, #AhmedabadFlightTragedy, and #AirIndiaCrashFootage have been trending since morning.