Messages of support pour in from around the world after AI171 crash
Condolences from leaders across the world are pouring in after a London-bound Air India flight, carrying 242 people, including 12 crew members, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (Flight AI-171) rammed into a doctors' hostel near the airport perimeter, resulting in a massive fire and heavy smoke. Authorities have so far confirmed one survivor, who was undergoing treatment. The final death toll remains unclear, as the plane crashed in a densely populated residential area.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed grief over the tragedy and conveyed condolences to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that he is "heartbroken" to hear about the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. He stated that the US continues to monitor developments and stands with the emergency responders working to help those affected by the plane crash.
The Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to India, Herve Delphin, said that the flag of the EU in India has been lowered to half mast in memory and respect of all citizens of India, the UK, Portugal, Canada, and the EU and those who lost their lives in the plane crash in Gujarat.
Taliban-led Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi expressed sadness over the plane crash and offered condolences to the government of India and the families of the victims.
Consulate General of Afghanistan in Mumbai also offered condolences to the families of the victims. It stated, "IEA-MoFA is deeply saddened by crash of an Indian commercial aircraft, and expresses its sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims and government of India."
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said that she is "deeply saddened" by the crash and offered condolences to PM Modi and all those who suffered loss in the tragedy.
Czech Republic PM Petr Fiala and Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavsky offered condolences to the families of the victims and wished a swift recovery to those injured in the plane crash in Ahmedabad.
Austrian Ambassador to India Katharina Wieser also said that she is "shocked" by the devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad.
Finland's PM Petteri Orpo offered condolences to PM Modi, UK PM Keir Starmer and the families of the victims who lost their lives in the plane crash in Ahmedabad.
Speaking to ANI on a phone call, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik said, "The police found one survivor... He has been in the hospital and is under treatment. Cannot say anything about the number of deaths yet. The death toll may increase as the flight crashed in a residential area."
According to an Air India statement, the Boeing 787-8 aircraft, operating as Flight AI-171, departed from Ahmedabad at 1:38 pm IST with 242 people on board, including crew.
"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. The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information," the airline said in a statement.
The aircraft was under the command of Capt Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer Clive Kundar. As per ATC, the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Aircraft immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. The official said that heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site.
(ANI)