Ahmedabad plane crash: What we know about the Air India flight with over 200 onboard
An Air India plane, AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, carrying 242 people onboard crashed near the Ahmedabad Airport on Thursday. Visuals of thick black smoke emerged from the location. The plane caught fire after crashing and fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the blaze, fire officer Jayesh Khadia told PTI.
ADVERTISEMENT In an official statement, the DGCA said that it was a B787 Aircraft VT-ANB and it crashed immediately after takeoff. "There were 242 people on board the aircraft, consisting of 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew. The aircraft was under the command of Capt Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer Clive Kundar," the regulator said.
There were 242 people on board, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew.
The aircraft involved is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration VT-ANB.
As per ATC, the aircraft departed from Ahmadabad at 1:39 pm from runway 23.
Aircraft immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter.
It gave a MAYDAY Call to ATC, but thereafter, no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC.
The plane crashed into a medical college hospital hostel.
Rescue workers say at least 30-35 bodies have been recovered from a building at the crash site.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was onboard the plane.
Injured passengers have been rushed to the hospital.
Minister of Civil Aviation, Rammohan Naidu, who was in Vijayawada, rushed to Ahmedabad immediately.
London Gatwick Airport issued a statement saying it confirms that flight AI171 that crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today.
All flight operations have been halted from the Ahmedabad Airport.
PM Modi spoke to HM Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu.
The plane had 169 Indians, 53 British, one Canadian and seven Portugese passengers.
Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran says doing everything in power to assist emergency response teams.
Boeing says it has taken note of initial reports of the crash.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to the Gujarat Chief Minister, Home Minister and the Police Commissioner regarding the plane crash. He also assured to provide Central government assistance.
Air India has issued a helpline number for passenger assistance: 1800 5691 444.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has set up helpline numbers: 011-24610843 and 9650391859.
Ahmedabad City Police issues emergency number 07925620359 for police emergency services and information.
The British government has set up a helpline number for UK citizens: 020 7008 5000.
British High Commission says it is working with local authorities to urgently establish facts and provide support.
Air India goes black, sets a dark image as display picture on social media handles.
CISF conducts rescue operations at the AI 171 crash site in Ahmedabad.
Indian Railways plans running Special Vande Bharat trains to help evacuate passengers stranded in Ahmedabad.
Three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, comprising 90 personnel, have been moved from Gandhinagar to the plane crash site.
A total of three more NDRF teams are being moved from Vadodara.
A help desk and assistance area is being set up outside the now temporarily closed Ahmedabad airport for the relatives of passengers.
Flight operations resumed at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad around 5 pm.
More than 100 bodies were reportedly brought to the hospital after the Air India plane crash, according to police.
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