An Air India passenger plane carrying 242 people crashed near the Ahmedabad airport in India moments after takeoff on Thursday, June 12.
The plane, which was headed to London Gatwick, crashed into a residential area near the airport.
The plane crashed in the afternoon
Flight AI171 was traveling from Ahmedabad to Gatwick Airport in London today on Thursday, June 12, when it crashed shortly after take-off.
The flight radar signal is recorded to have been lost at 1:38 pm local time, according to the BBC. The crash likely happened around that time.
There were 242 people on board
On board the passenger aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was 230 passengers, 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew.
Reports say that of the passengers, there were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals.
The plane had given a mayday call
It’s reported that the plane gave a mayday call to air traffic control shortly after taking off, but then gave no response.
According to the flight tracking website Flightradar24, signal was lost seconds after take-off when the plane reached 625 feet above the air.
It crashed into a residential area
The passenger plane came down in a residential area near the airport, more specifically hitting a doctors’ hostel, an accommodation for local medical professionals, as per police reports from the scene.
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Photographs of the aftermath were shared
On social media and via various news outlets, footage and photographs from the aftermath of the crash are being shared showing the destruction caused to the residential area.
Sky News has also shared a video of the crash itself where the plane appears to come down into a fireball upon impact with the ground.
Rescue teams have been dispatched
With firefighters tackling the flames at the crash site, right after the crash, Air India said on X that “the injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals.”
Air India added, “We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information. Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.”
There may be no survivors
The AFP and AP news agencies most recently reported that the police chief in Ahmedabad says there appears to be no survivors from the crash.
“It appears there are no survivors in the plane crash,” Commissioner G.S. Malik told AP News. The chief also said that “some locals would have also died,” adding, “exact figures on casualties are being ascertained.”
Boeing released a statement
In an updated statement given after the crash, Boeing says it ‘stands ready’ to support Air India. “We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them,” the plane manufacturer said.
“Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected,” they added.
Flights are resuming from Ahmedabad airport
Although flights were initially halted from Ahmedabad airport following the crash, they have now resumed as scheduled, with India’s aviation ministry saying on X, “Flight safety protocols are being followed with utmost care.”