Irish officials 'closely monitoring situation' after London-bound flight horror
Irish officials have confirmed that they are 'closely monitoring' the aftermath of a horror plane crash that sent plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky.
The plane travelling from India to the UK with 242 people on board crashed minutes after take-off from the western city of Ahmedabad, according to the airline and police.
The aircraft was en route to London Gatwick Airport, Air India said. It crashed in a residential area near Ahmedabad airport, according to police. The 242 people on board included 217 adults and 11 children.
They include 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese and one Canadian, Air India said.
A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson in Dublin said: "The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of an air incident involving a flight from Ahmedabad to London.The Department, including the Embassy of Ireland in India, is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to provide consular assistance."
Aviation tracking site Flightradar24 said the plane was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, one of the most modern passenge raircraft in service.
"With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today," its Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said in a statement.
"Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event," he said, adding that an emergency centre has been activated and a support team set up for families seeking information.
Television footage showed the plane taking off over a residential area and disappearing from the screen before a huge cloud of fire rose into the sky from beyond the houses.
Pictures showed debris on fire, with thick black smoke rising into the sky near the airport. According to air traffic control at Ahmedabad airport, the plane departed at 1.39pm (9.09am Irish time) from runway 23. It gave a "Mayday" call, signalling an emergency, and there was no further contact from the aircraft.
Flightradar24 also said that it received the last signal from the plane seconds after it took off. "The aircraft involved is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration VT-ANB," it said.
Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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