Topline
An Air India plane with 242 people on board crashed near the Ahmedabad airport in the state of Gujarat in Western India on Thursday shortly after takeoff.
File Photo: An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad, ... More
Air India confirmed that its flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, “was involved in an accident today after take-off.”
The airline said the plane involved in the crash was a Boeing 787-8 aircraft and it “was carrying 242 passengers and crew members” on board.
Among the people on board “169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals,” the statement added.
Details about the what caused the crash and the number of fatalities are unknown.
According to FlightRadar24, initial flight data shows the plane climbed to an “barometric altitude of 625 feet” before quickly descending at a speed of 475 feet per minute and the Boeing 787-8 involved in the incident was delivered to the airline back in 2014.
London Gatwick Airport also confirmed that “the AI171 that crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25” local time on Thursday.
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.”
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. The company has not yet commented on the crash.
This is a developing story.