…Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani is reportedly among the Air India Plane passengers.
The iNews Times brings you report of a devastating plane crash involving Air India which occurred in Ahmedabad, India, on Thursday, claiming the lives of all 242 people on board.
The Air India flight, carrying passengers and crew members, crashed in a residential area near the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport shortly after taking off at 1:38 PM IST, en route to Gatwick Airport in London.
The iNews Times learnt that the plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, had 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national, and seven Portuguese nationals on board.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani is reportedly among the passengers.
The aircraft issued a MAYDAY call to air traffic control moments before the crash, indicating a life-threatening emergency.
Rescue and relief operations are underway, with the Gujarat government and central authorities working together to assist those affected.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his shock and sadness over the incident and has directed the Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, to oversee rescue efforts.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also rushed to Ahmedabad to assess the situation.
The crash site is near an intern doctors’ hostel at BJ Medical College, where debris from the plane has been found.
Many injured were initially reported, but it has been confirmed that all on board were killed.
The airport has temporarily suspended operations but has since resumed flight services.
Condolences have poured in from world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has been kept informed about the situation.
The High Commission of Canada has also expressed its deepest condolences, given that one Canadian national was on board.
An investigation into the cause of the crash will be conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
Hotline numbers have also been issued for families of the passengers to seek information and assistance:
Ministry of Civil Aviation: 011-24610843 | 9650391859
Air India passenger hotline: 1800 5691 444
Ahmedabad City police: 07925620359
The incident has sparked an outpouring of grief, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urging party workers to aid rescue and relief operations.
The Air India social media accounts have been blacked out as a mark of respect for the victims.
Boeing’s stock prices fell significantly after the news of the crash, iNews Times learnt.
