More than 290 people were killed when an Air India plane bound for London with 242 people on board crashed minutes after taking off from the western city of Ahmedabad on Thursday, authorities said, in the world’s worst aviation disaster in a decade.
The dead included people on the ground as the aircraft, headed for Gatwick Airport, south of the British capital, crashed into a medical college hostel during lunch hour.
At least one passenger is known to have survived, police said, and the man told Indian media how he had heard a loud noise shortly after take-off.
“Approximately 294 have died. This includes some students as the plane crashed into the building where they were staying,” Vidhi Chaudhary, a top state police officer, told Reuters.
She said police found one survivor who was in seat 11A, next to an emergency exit, adding that there could be more survivors in the hospital.
“Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed,” 40-year-old Ramesh Viswashkumar told the Hindustan Times, which showed a boarding pass for seat 11A in that name online.
The Air India plane crash has plunged the airline into its most profound crisis yet and will severely damage its efforts to revamp its reputation and fleet.
After taking over the carrier from the government in 2022, the Tata Group unveiled ambitious plans to reverse years of underinvestment in an ageing and outdated fleet and create a “world-class airline”—as CEO Campbell Wilson has repeatedly said —on a par with rivals like Emirates.
The turnaround has been aimed at tackling its myriad problems, including persistent flight delays, disgruntled customers, a shortage of spare parts, delayed plane deliveries and years of financial losses.
“Newer aircraft and better maintenance should be the hallmark for Air India’s survival. Proper maintenance is what they should be looking into, because Air India has had a chequered past,” said Vibhuti Deora, a former legal expert at India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
That past includes, while under government ownership, a Boeing 737 flight from Dubai overshooting the runway at a domestic airport in 2010, killing 158 people. More recently, its low-cost unit Air India Express saw a craft skid off a runway in India in 2020, killing 21 people.
“For an airline, the most important thing is the brand’s identity with safety. This will be a major setback for the brand in that aspect,” said Dilip Cherian, co-founder of public relations firm Perfect Relations.
A British man is the sole survivor of the London-bound Air India flight carrying 242 people that crashed shortly after takeoff in the north-west Indian city of Ahmedabad.
Tinubu Condoles With Modi, Victims Of Air India
President Bola Tinubu has extended heartfelt condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government, and the people of the Republic of India following the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 near Ahmedabad.
The plane carried two pilots, 10 cabin crew, 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.
In a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expresses deep sorrow over the tragic incident and offers prayers for the families of the victims, the injured, and the entire Indian nation during this moment of grief.
The President also commiserated with the leaders of Great Britain, Portugal, and Canada for losing their nationals on the ill-fated flight.
“The tragedy of Air India reminds us, once again, of the fragility of life and the common bond of humanity that holds us together.
“At this moment of sorrow and pain, Nigeria stands in solidarity with our friend, brother and partner, Narendra Modi, and the people of India. Nigeria also deeply sympathises with the families and friends of other victims on board the aircraft,’’ President Tinubu said.
President Tinubu commended the swift response of the emergency agencies in India and expressed his confidence in their capacity and compassion to make a difference in the complicated situation.
The President prayed that the Almighty God would receive the souls of the departed and comfort their families.
