Offering condolences and assistance, US President Donald Trump said: "It was a horrible crash. Nobody has any idea what it might be".
New Delhi: In one of the deadliest plane tragedies in India’s aviation history, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner (VT-ANB) crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, killing more than 200 people and injuring several others.
The Boeing 787-8 aircraft bound for London Gatwick Airport was carrying 242 passengers and crew when it came down on June 12 in a residential area, crashing into a medical college hostel outside the airport. According to Air India's official statement, the passenger list included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals.
One passenger, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated at 11A in the Air India flight, managed to survive the crash, which also took the life of former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani. The Ahmedabad police commissioner confirmed the recovery of 204 bodies from the crash site. He stated that all recovered bodies have been sent for postmortem examination, and the death toll is expected to rise with rescue operations continuing. At least 20 medical students were also injured as the aircraft crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel in Meghaninagar area.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi government has formed a panel to investigate the Air India plane crash and to strengthen aviation safety measures. Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Ahmedabad to oversee relief and rescue operations.
“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,” PM Modi said.
Britain has set up crisis teams in Delhi and London to support the families of those aboard the Air India Flight 171, Foreign Secretary David Lammy informed Parliament. Boeing said “We are aware of initial reports and are working to gather more information”.
Condolences pour in
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed his condolences: “Heartbroken to hear the news of a tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. My prayers are with all who lost their loved ones in this horrible incident. We continue to monitor developments and stand with the emergency responders working to help those impacted,” he wrote on X.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also expressed his anguish. “Devastated to learn of the crash of a London-bound Air India plane in Ahmedabad, carrying 242 passengers, including one Canadian. My thoughts are with the loved ones of everyone on board,” he said in a statement. Russian President Vladimir Putin also conveyed heartfelt condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered his condolences to the families of the victims. “Saddened by the tragic crash of Air India flight near Ahmedabad today. We extend our condolences to the families of the victims grieving this immense loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy,” Sharif posted on X.
Probe assistance
The United Kingdom's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and the United States' Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) offered assistance in the investigation that is being carried out by the Indian authorities. Soon after the plane crash, the British High Commission in India said that it is working with local authorities to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved.
Tata Group, which owns Air India, has announced that it will provide Rs 1 crore to families of those who lost their lives in the plane crash. In a compassionate move to assist the families of victims affected by the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171, the airline announced two special relief flights -- one each from Delhi and Mumbai -- to Ahmedabad.
This is the deadliest plane crash in India since the 1996 Charkhi Dadri disaster, where Saudi Arabian Airlines flight SV 763 collided with Kazakhstan Airlines flight KZ 1907 near Charkhi Dadri, west of Delhi, resulting in the deaths of 349 passengers and crew.
