Air India flight crash update: All 242 people on board killed

By Saurabh Verma & Aveek Banerjee, (News18.com), June 12: All 242 passengers are believed to have been killed after an Air India flight crashed near the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday. The incident took place when the Air India flight, carrying 232 passengers and 10 crew members, was taking off for London at 1.17 PM.

The plane was carrying 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese, and one Canadian passenger. Heavy smoke was visible from Dharpur near the Meghaninagar area in Ahmedabad. The fire brigade has rushed to the spot, and emergency response teams are being mobilised. Authorities are yet to confirm the cause of the crash.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu about the crash. The PM asked the two ministers to go to Ahmedabad and ensure all possible assistance is extended to those affected.

Earlier today, Shah also spoke to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel following the crash.

Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said he was “shocked” at the tragic crash of Air India flight carrying 242 passengers in Ahmedabad. “Bangladesh stands in solidarity with people and government of #India at this trying time,” he said.

The Indian Railways has decided to operate two special trains from Ahmedabad. A special train will un from Ahmedabad to New Delhi at 11:30 pm and another at 12:00 am to Mumbai.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and former CM Farooq Abdullah expressed profound grief over the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. “Their thoughts and prayers are with the victims and all those affected by this unimaginable tragedy, and they pray for strength to the bereaved during this difficult time,” read a statement from their party, the National Conference.

Italy’s Embassy in India said it was deeply saddened by the tragic plane incident in Ahmedabad and said it stood with India and its people in this moment of grief. “Our hearts and minds are close to the families of those who have been affected by this tragedy,” it said.

The London-bound Air India flight that crashed just after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport.