Source: Africa Publicity
An Air India plane carrying 232 passengers and 10 crew members bound for London, crashed into a residential area on Thursday, shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad Airport in western India, officials have confirmed.
The crash occurred in Meghaninagar area near the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport around 2 pm local time.
Local media reports cited Air India as saying the crashed plane from Ahmedabad to Gatwick had 169 Indians, 53 British, and one Canadian national on-board.
A report by Indian media outlet, The Hindustan Times says the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft (AI171) could be seen from afar, losing altitude rapidly and crashing in a ball of fire that sent plumes of thick black smoke spiralling up in the air.
Reports said there was no official estimate of those killed or injured. There were fears that some in Meghaninagar could be among those who lost their lives.
Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has asked India’s Home Minister, Amit Shah, and Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu to go to Ahmedabad and ensure all possible assistance to those affected in the crash, according to reports.
The Aviation Minister expressed deep sorry over the plane crash, saying he was “shocked and devastated” by the tragedy.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families,” says the Aviation Minister.
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