Safety questioned after London-bound plane crashes into Indian building killing over 200
Iain Hoey
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Plane crash in India kills over 200 near take off
More than 200 people have died after an Air India flight crashed shortly after take off from Ahmedabad, according to multiple reports.
The plane, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating as flight AI171 to London Gatwick, had 242 people on board.
Indian police confirmed that the aircraft crashed into a residential area in Meghani Nagar five minutes after departure.
Reuters cited Ahmedabad police officer Kanan Desai, who said the plane crashed into a doctors’ hostel near the airport.
Smoke and debris were seen rising from the site, with the tail section of the aircraft visible on top of the building.
Flight AI171 was en route to London with passengers from multiple countries
Air India confirmed that flight AI171 was travelling from Ahmedabad to Gatwick Airport.
In a statement on X, Air India said the aircraft carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian.
The airline stated: “Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take off.”
It added that the injured were being taken to local hospitals and a passenger hotline had been activated.
The UK Foreign Office said it was working with Indian authorities to determine the impact on British nationals.
Search and recovery operations continue at crash site
Rescue teams on the ground reported recovering at least 30 bodies from the building the plane struck.
Police told local reporters that more bodies were likely trapped inside, with efforts continuing to clear the wreckage.
A senior officer said: “The building on which it has crashed is a doctors’ hostel … we have cleared almost 70% to 80% of the area and will clear the rest soon.”
According to images from the scene, aircraft wreckage was scattered across the crash site, including fuselage sections and parts of the tail.
Ahmedabad airport was temporarily closed, with all flights suspended, according to a spokesperson quoted in Indian media.
Aviation authorities and government officials respond to crash
Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Director General of the Directorate of Civil Aviation, told the Associated Press the crash occurred minutes after take off.
He said that the aircraft had reached a height of 625 feet before signal was lost.
Kidwai confirmed that the aircraft issued a mayday call shortly before losing contact with air traffic control.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the event as “heartbreaking beyond words” and said he was in touch with officials.
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya confirmed that “many people” had died, with authorities working to support those affected.
Boeing 787 safety record under scrutiny after crash
According to The Guardian, this incident marks the first crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Aviation analysts noted that take off and landing are statistically the most dangerous phases of flight.
The US Federal Aviation Administration has previously investigated technical issues with the 787, though the aircraft has generally maintained a strong safety record.
Boeing said in a statement: “We are aware of initial reports and are working to gather more information.”
Air India has operated the Boeing 787-8 since 2012 and has around 30 of the aircraft in its fleet.
India’s aviation safety record has improved in recent years despite occasional high-profile incidents.
Plane crash in India kills more than 200 near Ahmedabad: Summary
More than 200 people have died in a plane crash in Ahmedabad, India.
The incident involved Air India flight AI171 travelling to London Gatwick.
Reuters reported that the Boeing 787 crashed shortly after take off.
The plane struck a residential building housing doctors near the airport.
Air India confirmed that 242 people were on board.
Passengers included Indian, British, Portuguese and Canadian nationals.
Rescue workers have recovered at least 30 bodies from the crash site.
Ahmedabad airport has suspended all flight operations.
Prime Minister Modi called the crash “heartbreaking beyond words.”
Air India has activated a support hotline for relatives of those on board.
Flight tracking data showed the aircraft lost contact at 625 feet.
Boeing is working with Indian authorities to investigate the crash.