An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after departing from Ahmedabad, India, reportedly resulting in no survivors among the 242 individuals on the flight. Immediate rescue operations are underway as the tragic news resonates both in India and the UK.
Tragic Crash of Air India Flight AI171 Near Ahmedabad Leaves No Survivors
Tragic Crash of Air India Flight AI171 Near Ahmedabad Leaves No Survivors
A devastating crash shortly after takeoff kills 240 people on board an Air India flight bound for London Gatwick.
An Air India passenger plane bound for London Gatwick met a tragic end shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India, on Thursday. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, identified as flight AI171, lost contact with air traffic control merely a minute post-departure, prompting a mayday call that went unanswered. With 242 people on board, including 53 British nationals, the flight was scheduled to arrive in London at 18:25 BST.
Reports indicate that the aircraft crashed in a populated area known as Meghani Nagar, striking a doctor's hostel. Eyewitness accounts narrate chilling scenes as residents rushed to help after seeing the plumes of black smoke rise from the crash site. Emergency services mobilized quickly to rescue those trapped and extinguish the fire, but the police chief has cautioned that initial assessments suggest "no survivors" among the passengers and crew.
According to the spokesperson for India's aviation authority, all operational activities at the airport have been halted following the crash. Authorities are currently investigating and have commenced extensive rescue and relief efforts. The Indian foreign ministry disclosed that many lives have been lost, and local officials extended their condolences as the community grapples with the aftermath.
The flight was heavily occupied, featuring a mix of nationalities among the passengers, including 169 Indian nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese citizens. Air India officials have confirmed that the injured are being taken to hospitals and that an emergency response center has been established to assist families seeking information regarding their loved ones.
Air India is cooperating fully with the crash investigations, and Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, has expressed its support. A hotline has also been established for concerned families to receive updates. The Indian government's aviation minister urged swift action from all emergency services, emphasizing the urgency of providing medical assistance and support to the crash site.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India expressed his profound grief over the incident, calling it "heartbreaking beyond words." His sentiments were echoed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of the UK, who described the situation as "devastating." The King and Queen of the UK extended their sympathies and praised the efforts of emergency responders during this heart-wrenching crisis.
