Air India Ahmedabad plane crash highlights: Japanese PM Ishiba condoles loss of lives

Ahmedabad plane crash highlights: The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft had departed from Ahmedabad at 1.38 pm, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew

Air India Ahmedabad plane crash highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ahmedabad on Friday to visit the site of the Air India plane crash that killed 241 people the day before. It is being described as one of the worst air disasters in recent years. Officials said the Prime Minister landed at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport and went straight to the crash site in the Meghaninagar area.  

The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was heading to London when it crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad. The aircraft struck a part of BJ Medical College and burst into flames.

 

Medical students among the victims

 

According to the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), at least five MBBS students, one postgraduate doctor, and the wife of a senior specialist from BJ Medical College were killed. Over 60 medical students were also injured in the crash.

 

FAIMA’s national vice president, Dr Divyansh Singh, said the search and rescue operation was still underway. “Bodies that have been found were totally charred,” he said. Many people are feared to be buried under the debris.

 

Ahmedabad plance crash details, passenger information

 

Air India confirmed that 241 people on board the London-bound flight were killed. The aircraft was carrying 242 people in total, including passengers and crew. The victims included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian.

 

Air India also stated that the only survivor is a British national of Indian origin. The crash, which happened moments after take-off, is one of the deadliest in India’s aviation history.

2:13 PM

Japanese PM Ishiba condoles loss of lives in Ahmedabad plane crash

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday condoled the loss of lives in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, a statement said.The AI 171 flight to London, which crashed soon after taking off on Thursday afternoon from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, crashed into a medical college complex, leaving 265 people dead.

2:10 PM

Air India crash marks first-ever fatal accident involving Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Boeing's Dreamliner, long regarded as a reliable workhorse for long-haul flights, has been in service for 14 years, with over 1,100 aircraft currently operating worldwide. The Air India crash on Thursday, which claimed 241 lives, marks the first fatal accident involving the Boeing 787 series that resulted in a total hull loss. 

1:21 PM

In touch with UK foreign secy, foreign ministers of Portugal, Canada on Ahmedabad plane crash: EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said he was in touch with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and also with his Canadian and Portuguese counterparts in connection with the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.

12:47 PM

China sends condolences to PM Modi, UK King Charles over plane crash

China's President Xi Jinping has conveyed condolences to India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Britain's King Charles over the plane crash in India that took more than 240 lives, including British citizens.

12:35 PM

Bodies of six Air India crash victims handed over to relatives, say police

 

At least 265 bodies were sent to the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital for post-mortem after the crash on Thursday. Of these, only six victims were identified as their faces were intact, inspector Chirag Gosai said. "We have handed over six bodies to relatives. We have started the process of collecting DNA samples of relatives for profiling to identify bodies that are charred beyond recognition. Relatives of 215 deceased persons have approached us to give their samples," said Gosai.

12:32 PM

British High Commission officials arrive at Ahmedabad airport

Officials from the British High Commission have arrived at a domestic airport in Ahmedabad in the wake of a devastating plane crash that claimed the lives of 241 people, onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171

12:30 PM

Search for answers begins in Air India crash

On Friday morning, one of the two black boxes, crucial for understanding a plane’s final moments, was found, according to The Hindustan Times. The report did not clarify whether it was the flight data recorder or the cockpit voice recorder that was recovered.

 

11:27 AM

PM Modi holds meeting with ministers and officials after visiting Air India plane crash site

PM Modi meets those injured in Air India plane crash at hospital in Ahmedabad.