Air India Flight 171, a London-bound passenger plane carrying 242 people, has crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel international airport in Ahmedabad.
Air India confirmed that there were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals on the flight.
As a result of the crash, all flight operations at the airport are temporarily suspended until further notice.
Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the Director General of the directorate of civil aviation, disclosed that the plane had 232 passengers and 12 crew members on board.
Kidwai added that Air India flight 171, a Boeing 787, crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar five minutes after taking off at 1:38pm local time.
He stated that emergency teams have been activated at the airport.
Authorities in London confirmed that the plane was due to land at the city’s Gatwick Airport at 6:25pm local time (17:25GMT).
The 787 Dreamliner is a widebody, twin-engined plane. According to the Aviation Safety Network database, the Air India tragedy in Ahmedabad is the first time a Boeing 787 Dreamliner has crashed.
Alex Macheras, an Aviation Analyst, stated that the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner involved in today’s crash is known for its impeccable reputation in terms of safety. “The 787 has been in service for 15 years – this is a mid to long-haul passenger aircraft, one of the latest from Boeing in terms of the development and the introduction of carbon-fibre aircraft,” Macheras told a news agency.
“It provides airlines with immense efficiency but also with the promise of stellar safety record that the 787 has. In fact, in its 15 years of commercial service globally, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has never been involved in a crash or a whole loss or a fatal accident.
“So combined, it’s an aircraft that the industry knows is of the highest standards in terms of meeting safety regulations globally, across different markets but also one that is trusted and essentially a workhorse of the skies when it comes to long-haul travel.”
Alex Macheras
India’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu noted in a post on X that he is “shocked and devastated” to learn about the crash of Flight 171.
“We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action.
“Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site.”
Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu
Confirmation Of Casualties
In the first confirmation of casualties in the accident, India’s Health Minister, Jagat Prakash Nadda said that “many people” have died in the plane crash.
In an earlier statement, Air India said that the injured were being taken to the nearest hospitals.
Rescue personnel at the site said that at least 30 bodies have been recovered from a building at the site of a plane crash in India’s western city of Ahmedabad. They said that more people were trapped inside.
In a statement on X, Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi expressed sorrow.
“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.”
Narendra Modi
Meanwhile, Britain’s Foreign Office said in a statement posted on its website that the country is working with Indian authorities to urgently establish the facts around the Air India plane crash and to provide support to those involved.
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