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London-bound Air India flight crashes after take-off from Ahmedabad with over 240 on board

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An Air India passenger flight bound for London Gatwick has crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, in western India, on Thursday afternoon.

The airline confirmed the incident as a “tragic accident” involving 242 people on board, including 53 British nationals and 169 Indian nationals.

What We Know So Far

  • Flight AI171 departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad at about 1:38pm (India time), and was scheduled to land in London at 6:25pm (BST).
  • Less than a minute after departure, the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control.
  • Flight data shows the plane reached an altitude of just 625 feet before its signal was lost.
  • A Mayday call was issued, but no further response followed.
  • Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani confirmed to be among the passengers aboard.
    The front portion of the plane fell on BJ Medical College hostel.

The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar in Ahmedabad. Video footage shows thick black smoke rising from the crash site as emergency crews rushed to the scene.

Mayday call to ATC

Captain Sumeet Sabharwal was flying the plane while First Officer Clive Kundar was the co-pilot. The pilot and co-pilot had sent out a Mayday call soon after takeoff.

The Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the co-pilot gave a mayday call to the ATC, but after that,t no response came from the aircraft.

“There were 242 persons on board the aircraft, consisting of 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew. The aircraft was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with First Officer Clive Kundar and Captain Sumeet Sabharwal is an LTC with 8200 hours of experience. The co-pilot had 1100 hours of flying experience. As per ATC, aircraft departed from Ahmadabad at 1338 IST from runway 23,” the statement read.

“It gave a MAYDAY Call to ATC, but thereafter, no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC. Aircraft immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. Heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site,” DGCA said.

Rescue Efforts Underway

Emergency responders have launched rescue and relief operations on a “war footing,” said Gujarat’s Chief Minister,  Bhupendra Patel. Injured passengers are being transported to nearby hospitals.

All flight operations at Ahmedabad’s airport have been suspended until further notice, officials confirmed.

Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said the airline has set up an emergency centre and support teams to assist families of passengers.

“With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India flight AI171 operating Ahmedabad–London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.
At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted.

“Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. An emergency centre has been activated and support teams have been set up for families seeking information,” Chandrasekaran said in an official statement.

Nationalities On Board

Of the 242 passengers and crew, the nationalities included:

  • 53 British nationals
  • 169 Indian nationals
  • 1 Canadian national
  • 7 Portuguese nationals

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

Crime

UAE Central Bank fines local bank Dh3 million over anti-money laundering failures

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The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has imposed a financial penalty of Dh3 million on a local bank for failing to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.

The fine was issued under Article 14 of Federal Decree Law No. (20) of 2018 on Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism and Illegal Organisations, as well as Article 137 of the Decretal Federal Law No. (14) of 2018 concerning the Central Bank and regulation of financial institutions.

The CBUAE said the penalty followed an investigation which found that the bank had not met regulatory requirements outlined in UAE legislation to combat financial crime.

In a statement, the Central Bank reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the transparency and integrity of the country’s financial system. “We continue to supervise and regulate all licensed financial institutions to ensure full compliance with UAE laws, regulations, and standards,” the authority said.

The name of the bank was not disclosed.

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Dubai’s RTA steps up inspections of buses to ensure safety

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Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has urged transport operators to strictly follow regulations covering all modes of passenger transport, including chartered buses, tourist services, and international bus trips.

This comes after RTA completed over 15,500 inspections targeting operators in these sectors, as part of ongoing efforts to raise service standards and ensure safety.

“The inspections weren’t just about issuing violations,” said Saeed Al Balooshi, Director of Passenger Transport Activities Monitoring at RTA. “They’re designed to improve service quality and ensure operators meet the rules that keep Dubai’s transport sector running smoothly.”

Checks included verifying safety measures onboard and ensuring all required licences were in place. The RTA also teamed up with other authorities, including Dubai Police and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs at Hatta Border Post, to tackle misuse and irregularities in cross-border transport services.

Al Balooshi added that the authority is using new technologies to make inspections more effective by analysing violations and measuring the impact of enforcement campaigns. “Our goal is to ensure a reliable and high-quality experience for residents, visitors, and tourists, and to protect the reputation of Dubai’s public transport sector,” he said.

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New paid parking zones announced in Abu Dhabi

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Residents and motorists in Abu Dhabi should take note: new Mawaqif paid parking zones have been activated in several areas across the city, Q Mobility announced on Thursday, July 10.

The newly introduced paid zones include:

  • Eastern Mangroves
  • Dolphin Park
  • Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street sectors – specifically at Al Khaleej Al Arabi Park 1, 2, 4, and 5
  • Al Qurm Plaza

The rollout of the Mawaqif system in these areas is now officially in effect, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s parking regulations.

  • Standard Parking – black and blue curbs:
    • Dh2 an hour
    • Dh15 for 24-hour parking
  • Premium Parking Abu Dhabi – white and blue curbs: AED 3 an hour

According to Q Mobility, this move is part of ongoing efforts to better regulate vehicle movement, ease congestion, and improve the overall efficiency of public parking across the emirate. The changes follow the completion of infrastructure upgrades such as curb painting, installation of directional and awareness signage, and public notifications.

The company has also encouraged drivers to make use of the Darb app for digital payment and to carefully follow posted instructions to avoid fines.

The expansion of Mawaqif is part of a broader strategy aimed at improving traffic flow and providing smarter, more streamlined parking solutions within Abu Dhabi Island and beyond.

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