Abu Dhabi: Condolences from global leaders are flooding in after an Air India flight to London, carrying 242 passengers, including 12 crew members, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday.
The Boeing 7878 Dreamliner (Flight AI171) crashed into a doctors' hostel near the airport perimeter, causing a huge fire and thick smoke. Authorities have only confirmed one survivor, who was receiving treatment. The final death toll is unknown, as the aircraft crashed in a densely populated residential neighborhood.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed sadness over the disaster and offered condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India.
In a statement posted on X, the UAE President said, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic plane accident in Ahmedabad today. " Everyone in the UAE is thinking of Prime Minister @narendramodi and the people of India, and we offer our deepest sympathies to those impacted.
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her deep sorrow over the plane disaster in Ahmedabad and extended condolences to Indian Prime Minister Modi and others who have suffered losses in the tragedy.
I am extremely sorry to learn of the terrible plane disaster in Ahmedabad earlier today. On behalf of the people and Government of Thailand, I offer our sincerest sympathies to PM @NarendraModi and all those who experienced loss in this tragedy, Shinawatra said on X.
Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala expressed sadness over the tragedy and extended condolences to the victims' families.
I'm saddened to hear about the Air India flight tragedy. It is a massive tragedy that has impacted countless lives. My sincere sympathies go out to everyone who has lost a loved one. Fiala wrote on X, "My thoughts are with you. "
Finland's PM Petteri Orpo extended condolences to PM Modi, UK PM Keir Starmer, and the families of victims who died in a plane crash in Ahmedabad.
In a statement posted on X, Orpo said, "I wish to express my most sincere condolences to Prime Minister @narendramodi, Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer, the families and loved ones of the victims, and to everyone affected by the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171. " My thoughts are with you.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed his sorrow upon hearing news of the horrific plane crash in Ahmedabad. He emphasized that the United States continues to monitor the situation and supports emergency responders who are working to assist individuals affected by the plane crash.
I'm heartbroken to learn of a horrific plane accident in Ahmedabad, India. My prayers are with everyone who lost a loved one in this terrible tragedy. Rubio stated on X that they continue to track updates and stand with emergency responders trying to assist affected people.
Czech Republic Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky offered condolences to the victims' families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the plane crash in Ahmedabad.
I was saddened to learn about the terrible crash of an Air India aircraft near Ahmedabad airport. I extend my sympathies to the victims' families and wish those injured a speedy recovery. "Our thoughts are with our friends in India," Lipavsky wrote on X.
Katharina Wieser, Austria's ambassador to India, expressed her shock at the horrific plane crash in Ahmedabad. In a message on X, she said, "Shocked by today's terrible plane crash in Ahmedabad. " Our hearts are with the victims and all those impacted by this terrible event. Austria expresses its deepest sympathies to all who have lost loved ones.
Abdul Qahar Balkhi, Taliban-led Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, expressed sadness over the plane crash and extended condolences to the Indian government and the victims' families.
IEAMoFA is profoundly saddened by the crash of an Indian commercial aircraft, and expresses its sympathies and condolences to the victims' families and the government of India, Balkhi said on X.
The Consulate General of Afghanistan in Mumbai also extended condolences to the victims' families. It stated that IEAMoFA is extremely saddened by the accident of an Indian commercial aircraft and offers its sympathies and condolences to the victims' families and the government of India.
Herve Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to India, stated that the EU flag in India has been lowered to half-mast in memory of all citizens of India, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Canada, and the European Union who lost their lives in a plane crash in Gujarat.
In a statement on X, Delphin said, "@EU_in_India flag is lowered to halfmast in memory and respect of all citizens of India, the UK, Canada, the EU, and Portugal who lost their lives in the tragic Ahmedabad Plane Crash. " Our heartfelt sympathies to the mourning families and to the people of India during this time of shock and sadness.
Speaking to ANI on a phone call, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik said, "The police found one survivor... He has been in the hospital and is under treatment. " Nothing can be said regarding the amount of fatalities as yet. The death toll is likely to climb since the flight crashed in a residential area.
According to an Air India announcement, the Boeing 7878 aircraft operating as Flight AI171 took off from Ahmedabad at 1:38 PM IST with 242 passengers and crew on board.
The flight, which took off from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew aboard the Boeing 7878 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national, and 7 Portuguese nationals. The injured are being transported to the nearest hospitals. According to the airline, a dedicated passenger hotline number, 1800 5691 444, has been established to provide further information.
The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with First Officer Clive Kundar. According to ATC, the plane took off from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It issued a Mayday call to ATC but then failed to respond to subsequent ATC calls. An aircraft, shortly after taking off from Runway 23, crashed to the ground beyond the airport limits. Officials reported seeing thick black smoke rising from the crash site.
