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Only one passenger survived after an Air India plane that crashed carrying 242 people shortly after takeoff near Ahmedabad in western India on Thursday, Indian officials said, after local police said they feared there would likely be no survivors from the incident.
A view of the site after a plane crashed following takeoff.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said in a statement she spoke with Air India chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran to “offer our full support,” as a Boeing team “stands ready to support the investigation” led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
Amit Shah, India’s home minister, confirmed to the Associated Press that a single passenger, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, survived the crash and that he had met with him at a hospital.
Vidhi Chaudhary, a high-ranking police officer in Ahmedabad, said at least 240 people had been killed, including passengers aboard the Air India plane and people around the crash site.
Campbell Wilson, Air India’s chief executive, said an unspecified number of injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals and the airline was “actively working” with local officials on emergency response efforts.
Local reports suggest at least one passenger appeared to survive the crash, citing a statement from Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik, who said the unnamed passenger was receiving treatment.
The Federation of All India Medical Association said at least 50 medical students have been hospitalized with injuries after part of the Air India plane crashed into B.J. Medical College, with at least one death confirmed.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the agency contacted the National Transportation Safety Board about Air India Flight AI171, though it noted the Indian government would lead an investigation into the incident and the NTSB would serve as the official U.S. representative.
The NTSB said it would lead a team of U.S. investigators traveling to India to assist with a probe into the crash.
Boeing told Forbes in a statement the company is in contact with Air India and “(stands) ready to support them.”
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik, in a statement to the Associated Press, said “it appears there are no survivors” in the crash and there were likely more casualties among locals near the crash site, though “exact figures on casualties are being ascertained.”
London Gatwick confirms Air India Flight AI171 was “involved in an accident” shortly after the flight’s departure, adding the airport was “liaising closely” with Air India and would provide support for relatives of those on board.
Air India confirms Flight AI171 was “involved in an accident” shortly after takeoff, adding the airline was “giving full cooperation” to officials investigating the incident.
The Air India plane, a Boeing 787-8, reaches an altitude of about 625 feet before quickly descending at a speed of roughly 475 feet per minute, according to FlightRadar24.
Air India Flight AI171 departs from Ahmedabad airport en route to London Gatwick Airport, as the airline said the flight carried 242 passengers and crew members on board, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals.
Firefighters work at the site where Air India flight 171 crashed on Thursday.
A view of the site after a plane crashed following takeoff on Thursday.
A view of the plane crash site on Thursday.
The cause of the crash has yet to be determined. The Federal Aviation Administration said the Indian government would lead an investigation into the incident, though the National Transportation Safety Board would be the U.S. representative if requested. The FAA said it “(stands) ready to launch a team immediately” to assist “in coordination with the NTSB.”
In a statement on X, India’s Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said: “Shocked and devastated to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. We are on highest alert…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.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his condolences on X, saying: “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.”
King Charles III said in a statement he and Queen Camilla are “desperately shocked” by the plane crash. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a statement on X: “The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating. I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.” The U.K.’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy also expressed condolences. The Prime Minister of Portugal Luís Montenegro tweeted: “It was with deep dismay that I learned of the tragic plane crash in India, in which 7 citizens with Portuguese nationality were travelling...I would like to express my condolences and deep solidarity with the families of the victims.”
Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekar expressed “profound sorrow” in a statement about the crash from the airline’s parent Tata Group. “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.”
Boeing shares nosedived sharply in premarket trading as news of the crash emerged. The plane maker's stock was down 7.15% to $198.70, early on Thursday.