After taking off from an airport in Ahmedabad in western India a plane headed for London crashed into a residential area suspected with a death toll of at least 290 people.

Scene of Devastation

After the crash photos from the scene showed thick black smoke rising into the sky and part of the Air India plane was seen resting on top of a building. Additional photos displayed burned trees, a building that had been blackened by fire and first responders sanitizing the area.

Victims and Casualties

Among those killed were passengers on the flight including some minors locals and those inside the hostel at BJ Medical College and Hospital when the plane crashed into it. The majority of the dead and injured were taken to the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital where a senior doctor worked.

The number of fatalities is probably going to increase, the doctor continued.

Passenger Details

According to Air India there were 242 passengers on board 169 of whom were Indian and 53 of whom were British. In a statement the airline also mentioned that there were seven Portuguese and one Canadian.

It verified that one British national had survived among those on board.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh a British national and stated that he was undergoing treatment. A copy of the flight manifest it seems. Ramesh Vishwash Kumar has been given seat 11A.

Ramesh in a nearby hospital and he was cited as saying: The plane crashed thirty seconds after takeoff after a loud noise. It all went by so fast.

Impact on Medical College

Reporters were informed by a senior police officer that the plane had struck a BJ Medical College and Hospital doctors hostel.

According to Swapnil Bhalodia of the Gujarat-based Indian Medical Association Medical Students Network at least three medical students lost their lives.

The Federation of All India Medical Association reports that 50 to 60 medical students have been admitted to nearby hospitals. According to the statement two or three pupils are in critical condition.

Flight Details and Emergency Response

The flight AI171 was scheduled to land at 6:25 p. m. at London’s Gatwick Airport. M. 1:25 p. m. local time. T). To give victims families information and support a reception center has been established at the airport.

One video showed the aircraft gaining altitude shortly after takeoff then abruptly starting to descend in midair before crashing down in a massive plume of smoke and flames.

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reports that shortly after takeoff the aircraft sent a Mayday call to Air Traffic Control.

However the aircraft did not respond to ATCs calls after that. Shortly after taking off from Runway 23 an aircraft crashed outside the airport’s boundaries. The accident site was emitting a lot of black smoke according to the statement.

The flight took off at 1:39 p. m. according to the DCGA statement. A time zone (4:09 a.m. ET).

According to FlightRadar24 data the aircrafts signal was lost at an altitude of 625 feet less than a minute after takeoff. According to the data the aircraft then began to descend at a vertical speed of -475 feet per minute.

Flight Suspension and Reaction

In India a Passenger Jet Carrying 242 People Crashes Soon After Takeoff

After the incident Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad suspended all flights. However the airport stated in a post on X that they have since resumed at a limited capacity.

Leaders React

The plane crash according to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stunned and saddened the nation. He called the incident heartbreaking beyond words and said he was in communication with the disaster authorities.

In a tragic accident Air India Flight AI171 was involved according to Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran.

We are doing everything we can to support the emergency response teams at the site and to give those affected all the support and care they need, he continued.

The scenes are devastating according to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer who also stated that he is being kept updated as the situation develops. His thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time he continued.

British Government Response

This morning we know that British nationals were on board British Foreign Secretary David Lammy informed the UK House of Commons. Additionally Mr. Speaker I can attest that the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office has established a crisis team in Delhi and London and is working immediately with local authorities to support British nationals and their families.

King Charles of the United Kingdom stated that he and Queen Camilla are desperately shocked by the horrible events that have occurred in Ahmedabad. Additionally he praised the heroic efforts of the emergency services as well as everyone offering assistance and support during this most devastating and traumatic period.

India–UK Ties and Demographics

India has a complex history that dates back to Britain’s colonial era and the two countries have close cultural and historical ties. There is a sizable Indian diaspora in the UK according to data from the British government 10.9 million people or 31.1% of the population identified as Indian ethnic in 2021.

Aircraft Background and Boeing’s Statement

Boeing’s Statistical Summary of Commercial Jet Airplane Accidents indicates that Thursday’s crash is the first involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft went into service in 2011.

Boeing reports that more than 1175 Dreamliners are currently in operation with 2100 daily flights.

In response to the incident Boeing said in a statement that it is in communication with Air India and is prepared to support them.

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