In a tragic incident, a London-bound Air India flight 171 crashed near Ahmedabad with 242 on board, confirmed the New Delhi aviation officials on Thursday.
The passenger plane crashed shortly after take-off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India Today reported. The ill-fated plane was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
The plane issued a mayday call shortly after departure but lost contact with the air traffic control soon after and crashed outside the airport perimeter near the Meghaninagar area.
The cause of the crash is not yet known.
All flight operations at the airport have been suspended after the tragic incident.
Visuals showed thick black smoke rising from the site, with seven fire engines rushed to control the blaze.
All 242 people on board the ill-fated plane have died, local newspaper Indian Express reported, citing police.
More than 100 bodies were brought to a hospital in India’s Ahmedabad after an Air India plane crashed on Thursday, local police told Reuters.
Reacting to the plane crash, PM Modi called the incident “heartbreaking” and said he has been in touch with ministers and authorities in Ahmedabad.
“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,” the PM aided.
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the scenes of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad “devastating”, adding “my thoughts are with the passengers and their families”.
“The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating,” Starmer said in a statement issued by his Downing Street office.
“My thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.”
UK foreign minister David Lammy wrote on X that he was “deeply saddened by news of a devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad”.
“My thoughts are with all those affected,” he added. “The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support.”
Buckingham Palace said King Charles III was being kept updated on the accident, while Conservative leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch called the news “heartbreaking”.
— With additional input from Reuters/AFP
