Boeing 787 Dreamliner Crashes in Ahmedabad Killing 242, Shares Fall 8%

A Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operated by Air India crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport, India, en route to London Gatwick, killing all 242 people on board. The aircraft went down in a residential area near the airport, striking a building at a state-run medical college, with rescue workers confirming casualties among medical students. This crash marks the first fatal accident involving the Boeing 787 Dreamliner model, which has faced previous technical issues but no prior crashes. The tragedy has led to a sharp decline in Boeing's shares, falling around 8% in U.S. pre-market trading, and raised renewed scrutiny of Boeing's safety record following past incidents involving its 737 Max aircraft. Air India, owned by the Tata Group, expressed profound sorrow, and investigations are focusing on potential mechanical failures including engine thrust loss and emergency power deployment. The crash has overshadowed the upcoming Paris Air Show, where Boeing was expected to announce new orders from Indian airlines.