Thu Jun 12 17:09:35 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**Tragedy in Ahmedabad: Air India Flight to London Crashes Near Airport, Hundreds Feared Dead**

**Ahmedabad, India – June 12, 2025 -** A London-bound Air India flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, June 12, 2025, resulting in a devastating scene with a high number of casualties. The crash occurred at approximately 1:38 p.m. local time, with the aircraft impacting the B.J. Medical College premises in Meghaninagar, causing significant damage to the dining hall and nearby residential buildings.

Initial reports indicate that 204 bodies have been recovered from the crash site, many of which are charred beyond recognition, hindering identification efforts. At least 41 injured individuals have been transported to local hospitals. The Police Commissioner G.S. Malik stated that DNA and blood samples are being preserved for identification purposes.

“The chances of survivors may be there, we cannot say anything at this point,” Mr. Malik said.

Flight AI 171, carrying 242 passengers and crew, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national, and seven Portuguese nationals, was en route to London when the disaster struck. Among the deceased is believed to be former Gujarat Chief Minister Rupani, who was reportedly traveling to join his family in London.

Witnesses described a massive explosion and fire engulfing the area, with reports suggesting that some residents attempted to escape the flames by jumping from balconies. CCTV footage from the airport shows the plane crashing within 40 seconds of takeoff.

Hundreds of personnel from various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), including the CISF, BSF, CRPF, and the Indian Army, have been deployed to the site to assist with rescue and relief operations. Excavators are being used to clear the debris.

Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Ahmedabad to assess the situation, meeting with Gujarat’s Chief Minister and other officials. He has expressed his condolences and affirmed that disaster response forces were immediately dispatched to the crash site.

Aviation experts are already speculating on possible causes, including overloading and bird strikes. Former Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel defended India’s aviation safety record, while acknowledging that a thorough investigation is underway.

The crash has drawn parallels to a tragic accident 47 years ago which involved the Emperor Ashoka. Railways are set to operate two special trains from Ahmedabad to Mumbai and Delhi to assist families of the victims.

The aviation insurance market is expected to experience a “hardening” as a result of this catastrophic event. Authorities continue to focus on rescue and recovery efforts, while an investigation into the cause of the crash has been launched.

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**Key elements included:**

* **Headline:** Concise and attention-grabbing
* **Lead Paragraph:** Who, what, when, where, why, and how (as much as possible)
* **Body Paragraphs:** More details and context, including quotes and witness accounts
* **Source:** Indirectly, by citing information given to The Hindu
* **Objectivity:** Reporting the facts without bias

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