Many feared dead as London-bound plane with more than 200 on board, including 53 British nationals, crashes in flames

Belfast Telegraph

2 days ago

The plane – a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner – came down in a residential area close to Ahmedabad airport in India, officials said.
The Reuters news agency reported 217 adults and 11 children were on board the flight.
India's federal health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said that "many people" were killed in the disaster.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the crash was "devastating", while his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi said it was "heartbreaking beyond words".
The King is being updated on the incident, Buckingham Palace said.
According to reports, the plane gave a mayday call to air traffic control after taking off, but then gave no response.
Videos circulating online show the plane exploding as it hit the ground, sending a ball of flames above rooftops.
Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, chief of India's directorate of civil aviation, said the plane crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar.
There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals on board.
Mr Starmer said: "The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.
"I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time."
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In a statement on X, Mr Modi said: "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."
Flight tracking website Flightradar24 posted on social media platform X: "We are following reports of a crash of Air India flight #AI171 from Ahmedabad to London.
"We received the last signal from the aircraft at 08:08:51 UTC (shortly before 9.09am BST), just seconds after take off.
"The aircraft involved is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration VT-ANB."
It added that the signal from the aircraft was lost "less than a minute after take-off".
India's Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu says he is "shocked and devastated" at the crash.
"We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action.
"Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families."
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Air India's chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, says "with profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today".
"Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event," he says.
"At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families.
"We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted.
"Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. An emergency centre has been activated and support team have been set up for families seeking information."
Gatwick Airport confirmed the plane was due to land in London at 6.25pm UK time.
In a statement on X, the airport said: "We can confirm that flight AI171 that crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25."
Air India was acquired by Tata Group from the Indian government in January 2022 after racking up billions of pounds of losses.
The airline's UK operations are at Birmingham, Gatwick and Heathrow, with routes to a number of Indian cities such as Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.