All but one of the 242 people on board a London-bound flight died when it crashed into a residential area in India shortly after take-off on Thursday. It is not yet known how many people on the ground were killed when an Air India plane crashed minutes after taking off from India’s western city of Ahmedabad on Thursday.
According to Air India, the plane was headed to Britain’s Gatwick Airport, and police officers said it crashed in a civilian area near the airport.
The sole survivor, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, who sat in seat 11A, is recovering in hospital with his brother who has said he has “no idea how he survived.” It is “almost inexplicable” that he is still alive, aviation experts said.
Of the passengers, there were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals.
The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, issued a mayday call to air traffic control after takeoff but then did not respond. The signal was lost seconds after take-off when the plane had reached 625 feet, according to Flight Radar.
“At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates,” Air India said on X. “The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals.”
The crash occurred just after the plane took off, television channels reported. One channel showed the plane taking off over a residential area and then disappearing from the screen before a huge jet of fire rising into the sky from beyond the houses.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X, wrote:
“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.”
First time a Boeing 787 plane has crashed like this
A spokesperson from India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had directed it to ensure all support was immediately extended to rescue efforts. All relevant agencies were on high alert, and coordinated efforts were underway, the Ministry added.
Ahmedabad Airport said it had suspended all flight operations with immediate effect. The airport is operated by India’s Adani Group conglomerate.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragedy of Air India Flight 171,” Gautam Adani, founder and chairman of the group, posted on X. “Our hearts go out to the families who have suffered an unimaginable loss. We are working closely with all authorities and extending full support to the families on the ground,” he said.
The BBC reports that the Air India crash is the first time a Boeing 787 aircraft has come down like this.
The plane model was launched fourteen years ago, and just a few weeks ago, the plane manufacturer lauded the fact that the model, also known as the Dreamliner, has reached the milestone of carrying 1billion passengers.
To mark the occasion, the company announced that its global 787 fleet of more than 1,175 airplanes has flown nearly five million flights, covering over thirty million flight hours.
The crash is a major blow for the company, which has been struggling to overcome a range of problems, including fatal crashes, with its 737 program.
Related: Boeing Being Investigated After Whistleblower Raises Safety Concerns
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