In a shocking incident on Thursday, Air India’s flight A-171 crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad, carrying 242 people on board. The aircraft was en route to London when it went down just five minutes after takeoff, plummeting from a height of 625 feet. The crash has brought back memories of a similar aviation disaster in South Korea just six months ago.

Echoes of Muan: South Korea’s Tragic Crash

In the city of Muan, South Korea, a passenger jet carrying 179 people crashed under eerily similar circumstances. The aircraft exploded shortly after takeoff, leading to the death of 177 people. Only two passengers survived that accident—both South Korean nationals. A MayDay call had been made by the pilot in that incident as well, but time ran out before a rescue could be mounted.

Air India Crash: Who Was On Board?

Air India has released preliminary passenger details from the Ahmedabad flight:

• 169 passengers from India

• 53 passengers from the United Kingdom

• 7 from Portugal

• 1 from Canada

Among those on board was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose verified boarding pass has been circulating widely online. He was traveling to London at the time of the crash.

Airport Shut Down After Tragedy

In the wake of the crash, India’s aviation regulator DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has suspended all flight operations at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. This immediate suspension is a precautionary move as emergency response teams continue to manage the site and begin investigations.