Air India plane crash: Govt mourns Ahmedabad Air India crash as rescue efforts continue; foreign nationals among victims
PTC Web Desk: The Government of India expressed deep sorrow following the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, which has claimed several lives. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the incident as a “tragic accident” and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
“What happened in Ahmedabad is a tragic accident. We have lost a lot of people. We extend our deepest condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones,” Jaiswal said.
He further confirmed that foreign nationals were among the casualties and noted that more specific details would be shared by the relevant authorities. “Rescue operations are still ongoing, so we have to wait for confirmed information,” he added.
The crash involved Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that was headed to London. The aircraft took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad at around 1.38 pm, but issued a mayday call minutes after takeoff.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the plane crashed just five minutes into its flight, landing near Meghaninagar, a densely populated area outside the airport perimeter.
The flight was carrying 242 persons, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The passenger list included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals. The crash resulted in a massive fire, with thick black smoke visible from surrounding areas. Emergency teams swiftly reached the site, and at least seven fire engines were deployed to extinguish the blaze. Multiple NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) units were also dispatched for rescue and recovery operations.
Air India has launched a dedicated support hotline at 1800 5691 444 for families and individuals seeking information or assistance related to the incident.
- With inputs from agencies
