“I had my headphones on, then I felt a kind of vibration, followed by a wave of heat, and I looked down and the whole carriage was in flames. I just got up and ran, but the carriage door was jammed with people. Everyone was screaming and trying to get out, people had blood on them everyone was pushing. It was like a stampede.

“I didn’t see any suspicious-looking people, or the bucket that’s on the media. I just saw flames and you think the worst. You think bomb. Terrorism.”

A French student has caused travel disturbances by phoning in a faking bomb threat to an airport to stop his parents from visiting him. The plane his parents were travelling on was carrying 159 passengers and flying from Lyon to Rennes. It was forced to turn around shortly after take-off as a result of the bogus tip-off.

The 23-year-old culprit responsible for the whole fiasco has now been identified by investigators, and has been charged with: "false news compromising the safety of an aircraft in flight." If found guilty in court, the student in question will receive a €75,000 fine, and could be imprisoned for up to five years.

Commenting on the incident, an Easyjet spokesperson stated: "EasyJet can confirm that flight EZY4319 from Lyon to Rennes on 18 January returned to Lyon as a result of security related issue. The captain took the decision as a precaution only. The aircraft landed safely and was met by the fire brigade and the police in line with procedures. Passengers disembarked normally and were provided with information and refreshments. The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority."

This isn't the first time that strange circumstances have caused travel chaos for European fliers. Back in December, London Gatwick airport was forced to cancel hundreds of flights following reports of a drone sighted close to the runway. Approximately 140,000 passengers and over 1,000 flights were affected by the incident, causing the biggest travel disruption at Gatwick since ash from an Icelandic volcano shut the airport in 2010. British police eventually arrested a drone enthusiast and his partner who lived near the airport, but they were released without charge and cleared of any involvement.

Warning: This article contains footage that some readers may find distressing

Police have revealed that there are "no survivors" after an Air India flight bound for the UK carrying over 240 people crashed into a residential area.

A devastating air disaster has unfolded in India after an Air India jetliner bound for London's Gatwick Airport plunged into a residential neighborhood just moments after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday (June 12) afternoon.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner’s transponder signal vanished less than a minute after takeoff, at just 625 feet above the ground.

The aircraft smashed into a doctors' hostel in the suburb of Meghani Nagar, turning buildings into rubble and engulfing the crash site in a towering fireball visible for miles.

Graphic video footage circulating on social media captured the aircraft flying low over the city before slamming into the ground and erupting into flames. Black smoke billowed skyward as panicked residents fled through the streets.

Authorities have disclosed that more than 100 bodies have been taken to the hospital. City police commissioner GS Malik also added that “there appeared to be no survivors," per The Telegraph.

Mobile phone videos and eyewitnesses paint a terrifying scene. Raju Prajapati, who lives just a few hundred meters from the crash site, told the outlet: “We heard a huge explosion and rushed out of our homes. There were thick plumes of black smoke rising into the sky. People were shouting and running in all directions.”

The scene was described as apocalyptic, with plane debris protruding from buildings and scattered across the street.

At least 30 bodies have been pulled from the collapsed hostel alone, according to Sky News. Some people in the surrounding structures were rescued alive and rushed to the hospital, but none are believed to have been passengers.

Among the victims were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian, according to Air India.

“The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 13:38 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft,” the airline confirmed. “The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information.”

The flight's pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, was described as highly experienced, with more than 8,200 hours of flight time.

Authorities confirmed the aircraft issued a mayday distress signal before the crash, but air traffic control received no further communication after the emergency call.

This tragedy marks the first crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft entered service 14 years ago.

Boeing, already under scrutiny for past crashes involving other aircraft models, has not issued a statement yet. The cause of the crash remains unknown, and an investigation is underway.

Reactions poured in from across the globe. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X: “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.”

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer echoed the grief, stating: “The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating. I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.”

King Charles is also being kept informed of the unfolding situation.

All outgoing flights from Ahmedabad’s international airport have been suspended until further notice.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy.

Featured image credit: SOPA Images / Getty

Four people are believed to have died after a plane crashed at London Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon, according to The Independent.

Emergency services were called just before 4pm to reports of a “serious incident” involving a 12-metre light aircraft, ITV reports.

Images shared online showed thick black smoke and flames billowing from the crash site, with witnesses describing the moment as a “fireball.”

Essex Police have not yet officially confirmed the fatalities, but a press conference is scheduled for Monday afternoon.

The aircraft, operated by Dutch-based Zeusch Aviation, was identified as flight SUZ1. The company confirmed the plane was involved in an accident and said it is cooperating fully with investigators.

The aircraft had flown from Athens, Greece, to Pula, Croatia, before heading to Southend. It was scheduled to return to Lelystad in the Netherlands on Sunday evening.

London Southend Airport has been closed until further notice, with all flights cancelled. Monday’s schedule included 20 easyJet services and two from Eastern Airways, per BBC News.

Local man, John Johnson, 40, told the BBC that he'd seen the crash unfold.

"You could see [the pilots] smiling and we all kind of smiled back. The aircraft then turned 180 degrees to face its take-off point, powered up its engines and powered past us, carrying on down the runway," he said.

"It took off in probably three or four seconds. It started to bank heavily to its left. I said to my wife, 'That's unusual.' We don't find aircraft normally turning at that stage in their ascent," he added. "Within a few seconds of that, the aircraft almost inverted and hit the ground. There was a huge fireball."

Emergency response was significant, with five fire crews, two off-road units, multiple ambulance teams including an air ambulance, and hazardous response vehicles deployed to the scene.

More updates to follow as the situation develops.

Featured image credit: John Keeble / Getty Images.

A plane carrying 244 people heading to London has crashed after take-off in Ahmedabad, India.

Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, lost control shortly after leaving the runway before coming down in the Meghani area of the city.

The signal was lost at 10:08 local time at 625 feet, less than a minute after take-off, per BBC News.

Shocking images circulating on social media capture a massive trail of smoke rising ominously from the crash site near the international airport.

Witnesses report seeing chunks of the plane's fuselage and tail protruding from a demolished building.

As rescuers rush to the scene, the cause of the crash remains unclear. Emergency services have been dispatched, and more details are expected soon.

In response, Air India issued a statement on X: "Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad‑London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest."

Faiz Ahmed Kidwai told the Associated Press that there was 232 passengers and 12 crew members onboard.

In a statement posted on X, Air India's chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, said: "With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 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," he added.

"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 team have been set up for families seeking information."

The plane was due to land at Gatwick Airport, London, at 6:25PM local time.

In a statement on X, Gatwick Airport said: "We can confirm that flight AI171 that crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25."

Per BBC News, the Chief Minister of Gujarat has stated that "immediate rescue and relief operations" are underway.

He added: "I have also instructed officials to arrange a green corridor to transport the injured passengers for treatment and to ensure all necessary medical arrangements are made at the hospital on priority."

All flights from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad have been suspended until further notice.

Featured image credit: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images