In a tragic incident, Air India flight AI 171 flying from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick with 242 passengers and crew aboard has crashed down into BJ Medical College Hostel Mess near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport moments after take off in early afternoon today.
The death toll rises to 240 plus at the time of filing this story, quoted from various media reports.
In their official X post, Air India confirmed the flight, whcih departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals.
“We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information,” Air India.
PM Narendra Modi expressed his shock at the accident and expressed his deepest condolences to the berevead families. The PM assured of all help that is necessary on the ground.
Passenger list confirms former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani was onboard the fateful flight among other VVIPs.
According to reports, the plane crash has also led to causualties of medical students living in the student mess where the flight crashed into crumbles and went up in flames in a matter of seconds. Fire Emergency services were pressed to service to douse the fire at the crash site covered in thick smoke billowing out of the hostel.
