In tragic news that came to light on Thursday, Air India confirmed that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in a crash just after take-off.
The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft.
Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, one Canadian national and one Portuguese national.
The plane went down in a populated area near the airport in Ahmedabad, a city of more than five million, and those injured on the ground were being rushed to the nearest hospitals.
Tragically, reports have stated that there are not expected to be any survivors from on board the aircraft.
“It appears there are no survivors in the plane crash,” Police Commissioner G.S. Malik told The Associated Press.
“As the plane has fallen in a residential area which also had offices, some locals would have also died,” he added. “Exact figures on casualties are being ascertained.”
Devastating Air India crash
Indian television news channels also reported that the plane crashed on top of the dining area of a medical college hostel.
The 787 Dreamliner is a widebody, twin-engine plane and this is the first crash ever of a Boeing 787 aircraft, according to the Aviation Safety Network database.
Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.
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