More than 200 killed as London-bound Air India flight crashes in Ahmedabad
- The aircraft’s signal was lost at an altitude of just 625 feet
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu says, "We are going to do a fair and thorough investigation, and probe why this incident happened. We still have to find out the numbers."
"Very sad to know that (BJP leader) Vijay Rupani was also there, as were other nationals."
"I am totally shaken by the tragic and horrific incident. I am still in a state of shock. The PM called me and asked me to be here at the site. At this time, I can only think of the passengers and their families. Many agencies have been engaged in rescue operations. I don't want to say anything about the numbers yet.
We are extending all help. The Union Home Minister is also coming to the site here. Very sad to know that (BJP leader) Vijay Rupani was also there, and so were other nationals.
We are going to do a fair and thorough investigation. We will go to the depths of why this incident happened."
Plane for flight AI-171 was carrying 242 people including 169 Indians and 53 Britons.
More than 200 people have died after an Air India plane crashed in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad on Thursday, Kanan Desai, a top city police officer told Reuters.
The plane was headed for Gatwick Airport, south of the British capital, Air India said, while police officers said it crashed in a residential area near the airport, Reuters reported.
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| 2017 - ex Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani and blogger |
More than 100 bodies, most of them badly charred, had been brought to the local government hospital for autopsy, police said. “The building on which it has crashed is a doctors’ hostel … we have cleared almost 70% to 80% of the area and will clear the rest soon,” a senior police officer told reporters.
Parts of the plane’s body were scattered around the building into which it crashed, photographs and videos from the area showed. The tail of the plane was stuck on top of the building.
Britain’s King Charles said on Thursday he was desperately shocked by the Air India plane crash in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, with passengers including 53 Britons and one Canadian.
“My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning,” the monarch said in a statement.
“Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones.
“I would like to pay a particular tribute to the heroic efforts of the emergency services and all those providing help and support at this most heartbreaking and traumatic time.”
"The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating," said UK PM Keir Starmer.
He also expressed his sympathies with the families of those who had onboarded the flight.
In a post on X, PM Narendra Modi described the incident as "heartbreaking beyond words" and extended his condolences to those affected.
"The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. [I] have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected," Modi wrote on X.
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