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Wales Online
2 days ago
- General
- Wales Online
UK-bound plane crashes after take-off with 244 people aboard
UK-bound plane crashes after take-off with 244 people aboard The flight was heading for London GUJARAT, INDIA - JUNE 12: Smoke rises after a plane crash shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in India's western state of Gujarat on June 12, 2025. The crash occurred in the Meghaninagar area, according to a report by the Press Trust of India, citing local authorities. (Photo by Nandan Dave/Anadolu via Getty Images) A plane bound for the UK has crashed shortly after take-off. The flight was leaving India's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad heading for London Gatwick. A total of 53 British nationals were on board a Gatwick Airport-bound plane that appeared to explode when it crashed shortly after take-off, Air India has said. In a statement following the incident on Thursday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.' He added he is being kept updated as the situation develops. The King said he is also being updated on the incident. Rescuers work at the site of an airplane that crashed in India's northwestern city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state, Thursday, June12, 2025. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) Air India's chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran described the incident as a 'tragic accident' and a 'devastating event' and said emergency response teams are at the site. A video of the incident, obtained by local media, shows the aircraft flying over a residential area before crashing, creating what appears to be a large explosion. Article continues below Commons Leader Lucy Powell said the Government will provide 'all the support that it can' to those affected by the incident. Air India said the flight was departing from Ahmedabad Airport with 242 people onboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The airline said 169 passengers are Indian nationals, 53 are British, one is Canadian and seven are Portuguese. The Reuters news agency reported 217 adults and 11 children were on board the flight. In a statement, Mr Chandrasekaran said: '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. '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.' He added: 'An emergency centre has been activated and support team have been set up for families seeking information.' Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, director general of India's directorate of civil aviation, told the Associated Press the crash happened in the Meghani Nagar area at 1.38pm local time (9.08am BST). Mr Kidwai said there were 232 passengers and 12 crew members onboard. It is the first crash involving a Boeing 787 aircraft, according to the Aviation Safety Network database. 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 the signal from the aircraft was lost 'less than a minute after take off'. 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. GUJARAT, INDIA - JUNE 12: Smoke rises after a plane crash shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in India's western state of Gujarat on June 12, 2025. The crash occurred in the Meghaninagar area, according to a report by the Press Trust of India, citing local authorities. (Photo by Nandan Dave/Anadolu via Getty Images) Recent analysis by the PA news agency found it was the worst airline for delays to flights from UK airports last year, with planes taking off by an average of more than 45 minutes later than scheduled. The airline has gained a poor reputation for delays and cancellations in recent years, partly caused by a lack of funds to purchase spare aircraft parts, which led to some of its fleet being grounded. Article continues below The first flight of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft involved in the crash was in December 2013. The plane was delivered to Air India during the following month.
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- General
- Extra.ie
'No survivors' of Air India plane crash
The Police Commissioner in Ahmadabad has said there are 'no survivors expected' from the devastating air crash which saw an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner fall from the sky, killing all 242 people on board this afternoon. The airliner was on route from Ahmadabad to Gatwick Airport in London when it crashed less than a minute into flight as it took off over a heavily populated area beside the airport. The aircraft hit the roof of a Hostel, where it's believed medical students were on their lunch breaks, although at this point it's not known the number of casualties on the ground in and around the area. Smoke rises after a plane crash shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in India's western state of Gujarat. Pic: Nandan Dave/Anadolu via Getty Images The tail section of the Dreamliner can be seen teetering on the edge of the roof of the building while the wreckage is scattered across a wide area close to the busy Ahmadabad airport. The majority of passengers, 169 on board the flight were Indian, with 53 Britons, one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals among the victims. No Irish passengers appear to have been on board. The airport has just reopened to flights in and out, and the flight path may sadly take some aircraft over the crash scene as they leave India bound for their destinations.
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- General
- Extra.ie
India flight bound for London in horror crash shortly after takeoff
A flight that was bound for London has crashed shortly after taking off in India. The crash occurred after the flight, which left Ahmedabad Airport in India, took off, with the plane reportedly crashing into a residential area. 230 passengers and 12 crew were aboard the Boeing 787, with it being unknown at this time if there are any deaths or injuries. A flight that was bound for London has crashed shortly after taking off in India. Pic: Nandan Dave/Anadolu via Getty Images India's civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said that he was shocked and devastated by the incident. 'I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action,' Mr Naidu said. '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.' The incident occurred in Ahmedabad, when the flight destined for London Gatwick crashed into a residential area. Pic: X The majority of passengers aboard the flight were Indian, with 53 Britons on board. No Irish passengers have been confirmed as being on board. 'Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off,' Air India, the airline who were involved in the incident, said in a statement. 'The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals.' 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, just seconds after take off. The aircraft involved is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration VT-ANB…
Wales Online
2 days ago
- General
- Wales Online
First pictures from India after UK-bound plane crashes with hundreds aboard
First pictures from India after UK-bound plane crashes with hundreds aboard Smoke has been seen billowing from a residential area after the plane crashed seconds after takeoff The plane was bound for Gatwick A plane bound for the UK has crashed shortly after take-off. The flight was leaving India's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad heading for London Gatwick. Air India says flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick was "involved in an incident today". A spokesman said: "At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest." A spokesman for Gatwick 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. More information to follow." According to police, the plane crashed in a 'civilian area' outside the airport, and they say at least 242 people were on board. The plane's final signal was received just seconds after take-off at 10.08am local time, less than a minute after it left the airport. GUJARAT, INDIA - JUNE 12: Smoke rises after a plane crash shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in India's western state of Gujarat on June 12, 2025. The crash occurred in the Meghaninagar area, according to a report by the Press Trust of India, citing local authorities. (Photo by Nandan Dave/Anadolu via Getty Images) India's civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said: "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. Article continues below "My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families." Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the director general of the directorate of civil aviation, told The Associated Press that the flight, a Boeing 787, crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar five minutes after taking off. There were 232 passengers and 12 crew members onboard and emergency teams have been activated at the airport, he said. The plane had reached 625 feet. India's aviation minister says they are on the highest alert and rescue teams have been mobilised. GUJARAT, INDIA - JUNE 12: Smoke rises after a plane crash shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in India's western state of Gujarat on June 12, 2025. The crash occurred in the Meghaninagar area, according to a report by the Press Trust of India, citing local authorities. (Photo by Nandan Dave/Anadolu via Getty Images) The plane involved is reported to be an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner. 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.' Air India Serves approximately 88 to 92 destinations—around 44 domestic and 43–48 international in ~31–37 countries. It has up to 201 aircraft, a mix of Airbus A319/A320/A320neo/A321/A321neo/A350, and Boeing 777/787. Article continues below Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is situated in the Hansol area, about 9–10 km north of central Ahmedabad. It has four terminals and a single runway. More than 13.4million passengers use the airport every year making it the seventh busiest in India. The Boeing Dreamliner is a family of long-haul, wide-body, twin-engine jet airliners known for its fuel efficiency, passenger comfort, and advanced technology. They carry between 242 and 330 passengers. More details as we get them
