An Air India plane with 242 people on board crashed on Thursday near an important international airport in the western city of Ahmedabad, said the airline and the country’s government.
Air India, the country’s flagship carrier, said in an X post that flight 171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick had been “involved in an incident” and that it was “determining the details and will share more updates as soon as possible.”
The flight was scheduled to leave at 1:10 pm local time (3:40 am et). Reuters reported that 242 people were on board and quoted the police by adding that the plane crashed into a civil area.
“Surprised and devastated to know about the flight accident in Ahmedabad,” said Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, the Minister of Civil Aviation of India, said in a position on X. “I am personally monitoring the situation and I have addressed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take quick and coordinated measures.”
“The rescue teams have mobilized, and all efforts are being made to ensure that medical help and relief support are taken to the site,” he added. “My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.”
The London Gatwick Airport confirmed the accident in a position in X. “We can confirm that the AI171 flight that crashed at the exit of Ahmedabad airport today owed land in London Gatwick at 18:25,” he said.
The plane involved is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, according to the FlightRadar24 flight tracking site, which said he received the last signal of the plane only a few seconds after takeoff.
This is a development story. Consult again to get more updates.
Jay Ganglani and Reuters contributed.
