An Air India plane with 242 passengers on board crashed just moments after leaving Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, leaving a horrific death toll, with just a single survivor, confirmed the airline in a press statement.
"We regret to inform that, of the 242 who were on board, there are 241 confirmed deaths. The single survivor is undergoing treatment in a hospital," Air India said.
The airline also revealed that the sole survivor is a British citizen of Indian origin.
As per the split reported by Air India, the victims comprised 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.
The doomed Flight AI-171 was headed to London Gatwick when it crashed mere minutes after its departure from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. IST. The plane allegedly crashed in a residential area close to BJ Medical College, setting off a gigantic fire and triggering a massive emergency response.
In an X post, Air India said that facilities for support have been made available at major airports to assist the bereaved families of the disaster.
"Air India has established Friends & Relatives Assistance Centres at Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Gatwick airports to support and cater to the needs of the families and relatives of passengers aboard flight AI171. The centres are enabling travel by family members to Ahmedabad," the airline stated.
For the seekers of information, the airline has released helpline numbers: 1800 5691 444 for domestic callers and +91 8062779200 for international callers.
