(Agency Report)
An Air India plane with more than 200 people onboard has crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport in western India, officials say.
Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the director general of India’s directorate of civil aviation, told The Associated Press news agency that Air India Flight AI171 crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar five minutes after taking off at 1:38pm (08:08 GMT) on Thursday.
He said that 232 passengers and 12 crew members were onboard the flight, bound for London Gatwick airport in the United Kingdom.
Footage showed smoke billowing from the crash site near the city’s airport.
India’s Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he was “shocked and devastated” about the crash, and sent his “thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families”.
“I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action,” he said in a statement posted to X.
“Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site.”
Air India said on Thursday that Flight AI171, a passenger flight to London Gatwick airport in the United Kingdom, was “involved in an incident”.
“At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates,” Air India said on X.
Gatwick airport said that Flight AI171 had been due to arrive at 6.25pm local time (17:25GMT).
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