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Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad Today News Updates: An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner (VT-ANB) flying from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick Airport crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday afternoon, killing 242 persons on board, including 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew members. 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian were on board. One individual – the passenger of seat No. 11A — has miraculously survived the crash, officials said, while 241 of his fellow passengers are presumed dead.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the disaster has “stunned and saddened everyone” in response. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) in Ahmedabad has been closed until further notice. Tata Group would offer ₹1 crore to the families of each person who has died.
The plane crashed into a doctor’s hostel of a medical institution, killing five students. Visuals from the accident site show debris piercing the wall of the hostel’s dining hall, with food still visible on some of the plates.
A footage of the aircraft flying low and attempting to recover altitude shows it slamming into the ground and exploding in a tremendous ball of fire around 1.38 p.m. It was filled with fuel because it was flying a long way to London.
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot issued a mayday call. According to sources, there was no response to the air traffic controller’s repeated calls.
In final moments, the disastrous failure to gain lift occurred at a low height of 825 feet. Aviation expert Sanjay Lazar told NDTV that the aircraft was clearly unable to rise.
Flight No. AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick carried 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals.
The images showed the burnt wreckage of the airliner, significant smoke rising from the scene, and emergency services at work. Some recordings also showed the injured being transferred to hospitals.
At least two dozen ambulances arrived at the site and some have taken away injured people to hospital. The police have diverted traffic from the area.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he is personally monitoring the situation and directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families,” he said in a post on X.
According to a statement from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft, piloted by captain Sumeet Sabharwal with 8,200 hours of experience and first officer Clive Kundar with 1,100 hours of experience, issued a mayday call just before crashing.
Air India has set up a dedicated passenger helpline at 1800 5691 444 to provide additional information.
Source: IE
