Video: India plane with over 200 passengers crashes
Abdullateef Fowewe
An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, en route to London Gatwick on Thursday.
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The plane went down near the airport perimeter in a residential area, causing a massive fire and thick black smoke visible for miles.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik said, “It appears there are no survivours in the plane crash,” adding that some casualties may also have occurred on the ground due to the crash in a populated area.
However, at least one passenger, Ramesh Vishwaskumar, has been confirmed alive and hospitalised.
It was gathered that flight, AI171, had 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian onboard.
The Indian Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu expressed shock and said, “We are on highest alert. Rescue teams have been mobilized, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site”.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson stated, “Investigations will take time, but anything we can do now, we are doing. Our teams are working around the clock to support passengers, crew, and their families as well as investigators”.
This crash marks the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its introduction 14 years ago.
Boeing said it is in contact with Air India and ready to support the investigation.
At the time of filling this report, emergency responders continue to work at the scene amid ongoing search and rescue operations.
Flight operations at Ahmedabad airport have been suspended until further notice.
