Update: An investigation into the deadly crash of a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 is focusing on whether the aircraft had a loss or reduction in engine thrust, according to people briefed on the probe.
The aircraft crashed shortly after taking off with 242 people on board on Thursday, June 12, leaving a single survivor. A total of 265 people were confirmed dead as of Friday, with the number likely rising, including medical students at a hostel and other victims in the residential neighborhood where the plane went down, Ahmedabad police said.
Also, see the statement from officials below.
An Air India plane bound for London with 242 people on board crashed minutes after taking off from India’s western city of Ahmedabad on Thursday. Multiple resources put the casualty rate at 265; others say more than 290 were killed, between passengers and people on the ground.
The plane was headed to Britain’s Gatwick Airport, Air India said, while police officers said it crashed in a residential area near the airport.
“The building on which it has crashed is a doctors’ hostel… we have cleared almost 70 percent to 80 percent of the area and will clear the rest soon,” a senior police officer told reporters.
The 242 people included 217 adults and 11 children, a source told Reuters. Of them, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were Britons, seven Portuguese and one Canadian, Air India said.
Flightradar24 said the plane was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, one of the most modern passenger aircraft in service. Thursday’s crash was the first for the Dreamliner since the wide-body jet began flying commercially in 2011, according to the Aviation Safety Network database.
“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 rose into the sky from beyond the houses.
Visuals also showed debris on fire, with thick black smoke rising up into the sky near the airport. They also showed people being moved in stretchers and being taken away in ambulances.
According to air traffic control at Ahmedabad Airport, the aircraft departed at 1:39 p.m. local time (0809 GMT) from runway 23. It gave a “Mayday” call, signalling an emergency, but thereafter there was no response from the aircraft.
Flightradar24 also said that it received the last signal from the aircraft seconds after it took off. “The aircraft involved is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration VT-ANB,” it said.
Boeing said it is aware of initial reports and was working to gather more information. A dedicated emergency helpline has been set up at 1800 5691 444 for Flight AI171.
Update: Air India owner Tata Group stated on their social media channels that they “will provide Rs 1 crore [approximately $116,854 USD] to the families of each person who has lost their life in this tragedy. We will also cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that they receive all necessary care and support…. We remain steadfast in standing with the affected families and communities during this unimaginable time.”
Source: Reuters/Flightradar24
This is a developing story. We will post more details as available.
