Air India removed display pictures from all its social media accounts, including X, Facebook and Instagram, after its London-bound flight AI171 crashed in Ahmedabad.
The flight, operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was headed to London’s Gatwick airport when it crashed into the doctors’ hostel near the airport perimeter shortly after takeoff on Wednesday afternoon, ANI reported.
Air India flight AI-171 was carrying 242 people, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew members, when the crash occurred.
“Within 2–3 minutes, police and other agencies reached the spot. Almost 70–80% of the area has been cleared. All agencies are working here,” a senior police officer told ANI.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the aircraft went down shortly after departing from Runway 23 at 1:39 PM IST. “Air India B787 Aircraft VT-ANB, while operating flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, has crashed immediately after takeoff from Ahmedabad. There were 242 people on board… The aircraft was under the command of Capt Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer Clive Kundar,” the DGCA said in a statement.
Also read: Air India Plane Crash: Operations resume at Ahmedabad airport following temporary closure
Over 30 bodies recovered after Air India flight crashes near Ahmedabad; 242 were onboard
At least 30 to 35 bodies have been recovered from a building struck by an Air India aircraft that crashed near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, rescue workers told Reuters. The London-bound Flight AI171, carrying 242 people, went down minutes after takeoff, slamming into a structure just outside the airport perimeter.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, collided with a doctors’ hostel, sparking a massive blaze and widespread panic in the area. Emergency responders launched an immediate rescue operation, as visuals on local TV channels showed thick black smoke and flames billowing from the wreckage.
Air India said the passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian citizen. Of the total passengers onboard, 217 were adults and 11 were children, according to an Air India source cited by Reuters.
A senior police officer at the crash site told reporters, “The building on which it has crashed is a doctor’s hostel… we have cleared almost 70% to 80% of the area and will clear the rest soon.”
Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Google Earth imagery shows exact location of aircraft’s take off & crash site in Meghaninagar. Watch video
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the aircraft took off from Runway 23 at 1:39 PM IST and crashed shortly after departure. “Air India B787 aircraft VT-ANB, while operating flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, crashed immediately after takeoff from Ahmedabad,” DGCA said in a statement. The aircraft was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a line training captain with over 8,200 flying hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged approximately 1,100 hours.
Air traffic controllers reported that the pilots issued a “Mayday” call shortly after takeoff, but there was no further communication before the crash occurred just beyond the airport’s outer boundary.
Boeing, the aircraft’s manufacturer, said it is gathering information. “We are aware of the initial reports and are working to gather more information,” the company said in a brief statement.
Meanwhile, speculation is mounting over the presence of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on the passenger list, though there has been no official confirmation yet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was briefed about the incident, has spoken with Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu. According to government sources, he has instructed both ministers to travel to Ahmedabad and supervise relief efforts. The Prime Minister also directed that all possible support be extended to victims and families and that rescue and investigation processes be accelerated.
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