Ahmedabad: India’s foreign ministry announced that a large number of lives have been lost in a tragic plane crash involving an Air India flight heading to London. The devastating incident occurred on Thursday in the western state of Gujarat, with 242 people on board.
According to Lao News Agency, the Air India flight comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian, alongside 12 cabin crew members. The flight met its tragic end shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, situated approximately 17 km south of Gandhinagar, Gujarat’s capital city.
The foreign ministry has yet to specify the exact death toll from the crash. During a press briefing, India’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated, “What has happened in Ahmedabad is a very tragic accident. We have lost a lot of people. We extend our deepest condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones.” Jaiswal emphasized the evolving nature of the situation and urged patience for further details from relevant departments.
Local media reports indicate that there are no survivors from the ill-fated flight. Witnesses captured video footage showing the aircraft flying low, struggling to gain altitude, and subsequently exploding into a massive fireball. Additional videos depict thick black smoke rising from the crash site.
Police reports reveal that the plane crashed directly onto the B J Medical College undergraduate hostel mess in Meghani Nagar, causing significant damage to nearby buildings and resulting in injuries to several individuals. Eyewitnesses reported that a part of the aircraft landed atop a student hostel.
Rescue operations commenced immediately after the crash, with authorities dispatching fire engines and over two dozen ambulances to the site. Traffic was diverted, and a green corridor was established to expedite the transport of the injured to hospitals.
Air India has expressed its condolences to the victims’ families and changed its social media logo to black in mourning. Meanwhile, the British government issued a travel advisory, acknowledging the crash and pledging cooperation with Indian authorities to ascertain the facts and provide support.
Reports suggest that former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani was among those on board the flight. Local media acquired web check-in documents indicating that Rupani had checked in for business class on the ill-fated plane.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sorrow over the incident, describing the tragedy in Ahmedabad as “heartbreaking beyond words.” He shared his condolences and affirmed his communication with ministers and authorities working to assist those affected.
Global leaders have also extended their condolences to the families impacted by this tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.