Air India flight with 242 on board crashes near Ahmedabad airport
An Air India plane headed to London with 242 people on board crashed minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday, airline and police officials said.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the Boeing 787-8 aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, was operating Flight AI-171 to Gatwick Airport when it went down shortly after departure. The aircraft was carrying 2 pilots, 10 cabin crew members, and 230 passengers.
“Flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after takeoff,” Air India said in a statement on X. The flight had departed from Ahmedabad at 13:38 IST.
Of the 242 people on board, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were British nationals, one was a Canadian national, and seven were Portuguese citizens, the airline said.
Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said an emergency centre had been activated and support teams were working to assist families of those on board.
“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,” Chandrasekaran said in a statement.
Thick plumes of smoke were seen billowing from the crash site, and fire tenders along with emergency services rushed to the scene immediately.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the state home minister, and the Ahmedabad police commissioner regarding the crash. According to ANI, Shah assured full support and assistance from the central government.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he was personally monitoring the situation.
In a post on X, Kinjarapu said, “Shocked and devastated to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. We are on the 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. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.”
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel said that officials have been instructed “to carry out immediate rescue and relief work and arrange for immediate treatment of the injured passengers on a war footing.”
“I have also instructed to arrange for a green corridor to take the injured passengers for treatment and to ensure all arrangements for treatment in the hospital are made on a priority basis. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also spoken to me and assured full cooperation,” Patel said on X.
(DD News)
