Air India ordered to carry out ‘additional maintenance actions’ on Boeing 787-8/9 fleet – latest updates

Aviation experts have spoken to Reuters about the chances of surviving plane crashes. One passenger survived the Admedabad crash – he escaped through an exit door seconds after his Air India flight crashed killing everyone else on board. It has prompted speculation over whether his seat, 11A, is the safest. “Each accident is different, and it is impossible to predict survivability based on seat location,” said Mitchell Fox, a director at Flight Safety Foundation, a US-based nonprofit. “In this particular instance, because the passenger was sitting adjacent to the emergency exit, this was obviously the safest seat on the day,” said Ron Bartsch, Chairman at Sydney-based AvLaw Aviation Consulting. “But it’s not always 11A, it’s just 11A on this configuration of the Boeing 787.” Despite disasters such as the Air India crash, plane designs have evolved to increase the likelihood of passengers walking away from a rare plane accident, Fox said. These include floor path lighting, fire detection and extinguishers, less flammable cabin materials and improved access to emergency exits. “There have been remarkable advancements in airplane cabin design that have improved the survivability of accidents on or near the ground,” Fox said. India’s aviation regulator has directed Air India to carry out safety inspections on its Boeing 787-8/9 fleet after a crash in Ahmedabad killed more than 240 people. The ministry of civil aviation said Air India has been ordered to carry out “additional maintenance actions” on its Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft equipped with GE Aerospace GEnx engines. There was press speculation that India could ground 787 flights, but it has stopped short of doing that so far. Downing Street said that as of this morning, the government hotline set up to support British citizens affected by the Ahmedabad crash had received almost 300 calls. Foreign Office staff have contacted the sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, today to offer consular support. Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner in India, met Indian prime minister Narendra Modi today to offer the UK’s condolences and support in the investigation. Indian media outlets have reported that India may ground Boeing 787 flights following the Ahmedabad crash. Yesterday’s crash was the first involving a Boeing 787. The BBC has received a response from Air India, saying: “This is not the case, at this point in time at least.” Lunch break at a doctors’ hostel in India’s Ahmedabad turned fatal for many in the dining area when parts of an Air India aircraft crashed through its roof as the plane hurtled to the ground moments after takeoff, Reuters reports. Thakur Ravi, who worked in the kitchen at the BJ Medical College hostel, is still searching for his mother – a cook there – and his two-year-old daughter, who he left under her care. The last time he saw them was before he set off to deliver lunch boxes to senior doctors at the hospital, about half an hour before the crash. “All the other ladies who cook food at the hostel managed to escape, but my mother and daughter got left inside … I have searched everywhere but have not found them,” he told reporters. At least four undergraduate students and five relatives of students were killed in the crash, a resident doctor, who is part of the junior doctors’ association at the college, told Reuters. Images of the dining area shortly after the incident showed wheels and other parts of the aircraft embedded in the walls, with a section of the aircraft wedged on top of the damaged building. A strong stench of jet fuel hung in the air at the site earlier today, as authorities used cranes to remove charred trees and debris, while a portion of the wall of the top floor of the hostel lay on the ground. Loud wails could be heard at the home of Akash, a resident of Ahmedabad who was burned to death as he rushed to save his mother who ran a tea stall near the hostel and was caught in the blaze of the crash but managed to escape. “Her son ran in to save her but got blinded by the smoke and …was completely burnt. He died in front of our eyes,” Akash’s aunt, Jasi, told Reuters, adding that his mother sustained burns and was undergoing treatment. Dr Prateek Joshi, a radiologist at the Royal Derby Hospital, was on the Air India flight with his family, Derby Hindu Temple said, according to the Press Association. In a post on Facebook, the temple said the family were “devotees of our Mandir and supported us through their sincere service and dedication. “We pray to Lord Shiva to grant eternal peace to the departed souls and to give strength to the bereaved family to bear this immense loss.” Pope Leo XIV paid condolences to the families and friends of the victims. A statement released by the Vatican on behalf of the Pope passed on his prayers for those affected by the tragedy. “His Holiness Pope Leo XIV sends his heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives, together with the assurance of prayers for all involved in the recovery efforts,” the Pope’s secretary of state said in a statement. “Commending the souls of the deceased to the mercy of the Almighty, His Holiness invokes upon all affected the divine blessings of healing and peace,” they added. It is still not known what caused Air India flight AI171 to crash on Thursday. There is plenty of conjecture, with theories ranging from an extraordinarily rare twin-engine failure, a bird strike and malfunctioning wing flaps. A team from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) will soon join safety experts to investigate. They will be analysing radar data, CCTV, the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder to determine a cause for the crash, which killed 241 passengers and potentially dozens on the ground. Dr Minakshi Parikh, the dean of the BJ Medical College and Civil hospital, says they are working to identify bodies, so they can be released to families. Parikh said: “We are relying only on DNA matching to identify them. And it is something where we simply cannot rush or afford mistakes. We are working with sincerity. We want relatives to understand and be a bit patient. We want to hand over [the bodies] as soon as possible,.” Asked how she was personally dealing with the situation, she said: “Maybe the shock will sink in later. Right now, for me and my team, there is no option but to rise to the challenge.” A student was due to be on the Air India flight that crashed on Thursday in Ahmedabad but in a twist of fate, she was denied entry to the flight as she didn’t reach her gate in time. “Earlier, I thought that Ahmedabad’s traffic would cost me my ticket money and my job, but now I consider Ahmedabad’s traffic a burden,” Bhumi Chauhan told the BBC. “Even though I lost my money, I am happy that my life was saved. “We had reached Ahmedabad on time from Ankleshwar, but due to Ahmedabad’s traffic, I reached the airport five minutes late, due to which I was not allowed to enter the airport.” Stewart Wingate, chief executive at London Gatwick, has said his thoughts are with family and friends of those on board the Air India crash. On a post on X, Wingate added: “We can confirm flight AI171 that was involved in an accident shortly after departure from Ahmedabad Airport on 12 June was due to land at London Gatwick. “London Gatwick is liaising closely with Air India and a reception centre for relatives of those on board is available with information and support.” A black box has been recovered from the crash site of the Air India aircraft that hurtled to the ground, killing more than 240 people, two police sources told Reuters on Friday. Meanwhile, the BBC reports that a police official at the postmortem room say that six dead bodies have been released so far to families who were able to identify them based on facial features. Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar says he is in communication with the UK Foreign Secretary as well as the foreign ministers of Portugal and Canada. “Expressed our profound condolences and offered fullest support in this hour of grief,” he wrote in a post on X. There were 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, one Canadian and 12 crew on the plane. More on Gloucestershire family Akeel Nanabawa and Hannaa Vorajee, who died along with their four-year-old daughter Sara Nanabawa. The family were “widely loved and deeply respected”, their family has said in a statement issued through their Imam. In a statement paying tribute to the family, Abdullah Samad said: We are heartbroken as we await further information regarding our beloved family members who were on board the Air India flight from Ahmedabad to Gatwick. The news of this tragic incident has left us devastated and we are still coming to terms with the enormity of what has happened. This young family was incredibly close-knit - devoted parents and their beautiful young daughter. They were compassionate, active members of the community who regularly volunteered at our local Islamic school and for various local projects. Hannaa was also a director at Peace Inclusion, a grassroots organisation that works to build bridges between communities and promote understanding of Islam through education, dialogue and shared humanity. Their sense of justice and service extended far beyond Gloucester. Together, they were committed advocates for humanitarian causes - particularly the suffering of innocent Palestinians and the urgent need for accessible medical care in parts of India. They gave their time and energy to awareness campaigns and fundraising efforts, always guided by a strong sense of responsibility to help others. “They were widely loved and deeply respected. His quiet generosity, her warmth and kindness, and their daughter’s bright, joyful spirit made a lasting impact on everyone who knew them. “She was a ray of sunshine in her school and they were a pillar of strength in our lives. “This tragedy has shaken our entire community. In a place where people know and care for one another, the pain is being shared by many. “We are grateful to our local school family, friends and faith communities for the outpouring of support and solidarity. “We are currently spending this time together, surrounded by close loved ones, and ask for privacy as we navigate this incredibly painful period. “We respectfully ask the media and public not to contact the family at this time. “Any verified updates will be shared through the appropriate channels, and we will speak when we are ready. Thank you for your compassion, your messages of support, and your understanding during this time of immense sorrow.” An Air India flight from Phuket in Thailand headed to Delhi made an emergency landing due to a bomb threat, Reuters reports. The flight had 156 passengers on board, and the bomb threat was received on board. The plane landed safely and is being checked by security at Phuket International Airport, officials told Reuters. “During the cruising phase of the flight, a security alert was received after which the pilot took a mid-air turn back to Phuket,” the official said. Authorities have found no evidence of a bomb on board. A passenger who discovered the bomb threat note on board the flight is being questioned by airport officials. Gloucestershire family Akeel Nanabawa and Hannaa Vorajee were killed in the crash and died alongside their four-year-old daughter Sara. Speaking on behalf of the family, Imam Abdullah told the BBC that the community is still coming to terms with the enormity of what happened on Thursday in Ahmedabad. “This young family was incredibly close-knit - devoted parents and their beautiful young daughter,” he says. “They were compassionate, active members of the community who regularly volunteered at our local Islamic school and for various local projects. They were widely loved and deeply respected. “His quiet generosity, her warmth and kindness, and their daughter’s bright, joyful spirit made a lasting impact on everyone who knew them. “She was a ray of sunshine in her school, and they were a pillar of strength in our lives.” The sole surviving passenger from the Air India crash said the lights on the plane “started flickering” before the aircraft hit the ground and that he saw people dying in front of his eyes before he walked out of the rubble. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, told the Hindustan Times: “When the flight took off, within five to 10 seconds it felt like it was stuck in the air. “Suddenly, the lights started flickering - green and white - then the plane rammed into some establishment that was there.” Ramesh, who was sat in seat 11a next to an emergency exit, told the newspaper the section of the plane he was in landed on the ground, rather than hitting the roof of a building. “When I saw the exit, I thought I could come out. I tried, and I did. Maybe the people who were on the other side of the plane weren’t able to,” he said. He added: “I don’t know how I survived. I saw people dying in front of my eyes - the air hostesses, and two people I saw near me ... I walked out of the rubble.” My colleague Hannah Ellis-Peterson has been reporting from the crash site in Ahmedabad, where rescue teams with the help of sniffer dogs are sifting through the rubble looking for bodies and potential survivors. Extract: Ashfaque Nanabawa, 40, said he had come to find his cousin Akeel Nanabawa, who had been onboard with his wife and three-year-old daughter. They had spoken as his cousin sat in the plane, just before takeoff. “He called us and he said: ‘I am in the plane and I have boarded safely and everything was OK.’ That was his last call.” The plane crashed less than a minute after takeoff on Thursday afternoon after flying to an altitude of barely 100 metres. It issued a mayday call and “crashed immediately after takeoff”, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said. You can read Hannah’s full report here… The sole survivor of the Air India plane crash, Briton Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, has been visited by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. Video footage shows Ramesh, 40, talking to the Indian prime minister while lying on his hospital bed. Air India confirmed a while ago that Ramesh was the only passenger to survive the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The rest of the 241 passengers perished, and more casualties are feared to have occurred outside the plane. Modi said the scenes of “devastation” were “saddening”. He wrote in a post on X: “Met officials and teams are working tirelessly in the aftermath. “Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy.” At least eight people who were not on the Air India plane have died due to the crash, a senior health official in Ahmedabad tells the BBC. Four of them were medical students who were living in one of the buildings where the plane crashed, she said. The other four were relatives of other students who were living in the hostel. The Indian government is considering grounding Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet, Indian broadcaster NDTV reported on Friday, a day after one of the airline’s aircraft of the same make crashed in Ahmedabad city, killing more than 240 people, according to the Reuters news agency. Here are some of the latest images coming over the wires. Air India has announced on X that they are diverting 16 flights due to the bombing in Iran. The airline wrote on X: We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen disruption and are making every effort to minimize it, including providing accommodation for passengers. Refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling is also being offered to guests who opt for it. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly passengers to their destinations. Rescue teams with sniffer dogs are continuing to search the crash site of the Air India flight 171, which ploughed into a residential area of India’s Ahmedabad city on Thursday, killing all but one of 242 passengers and crew on board. Kanan Desai, a senior police official in the city, said 265 bodies had so far been counted, suggesting at least 24 people died on the ground. The plane crashed into a hostel housing medical students, doctors and their families, with the nose and front wheel landing on a canteen building where students were having lunch, witnesses said.
 Grieving families are giving DNA samples to doctors in Ahmedabad to help identify the victims. India’s home minister, Amit Shah, has said the final death toll would only be known after the DNA testing had been completed on the victims’ remains. One of two black boxes has been found, according to a report by local newspaper Hindustan Times. On Thursday night, the federal civil aviation minister, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, said a formal investigation had been initiated in line with international protocols. The Indian-led investigation will include experts from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch, because of the number of British victims, the US National Transportation Safety Board and Boeing. India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, arrived in Ahmedabad on Friday morning, visiting the crash site and a hospital where wounded are being treated. “The scene of devastation is saddening,” he said, adding that teams were “working tirelessly in the aftermath”. “Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy,” he said. The sole survivor from the plane, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, was being treated in hospital. A medic told Associated Press Ramesh was disoriented with multiple injuries, but that he seemed to be out of danger. Campbell Wilson, the CEO of Air India, also visited the site of the crash on Friday morning but did not answer media questions. In a statement on Thursday he expressed his “deep sorrow” at the incident, and said Air India would “continue to share accurate and timely information”. Air India has set up friends and relatives assistance centres at Gatwick, Mumbai, Dehli and Ahmedabad airports to provide support. Tata Group, owners of Air India, offered financial aid of 10 million rupees ($117,000 USD) to the families of each person who has lost their life, as well as funds to cover medical expenses of those injured. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has cancelled plans to attend the Paris Air Show next week, as shares in the company finished down nearly 5% on Thursday. US transport secretary, Sean Duffy, said there is “no indication” of safety concerns with the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the aircraft model involved in the deadly crash. Speaking at a news conference, Duffy stressed that the investigation remains in its early stages and that no conclusions have yet been drawn. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the scenes of “devastation” were “saddening” after his visit to the Air India crash site and a local hospital to visit victims. “Met officials and teams working tirelessly in the aftermath,” he wrote in a post on X. “Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy.” Campbell Wilson, the CEO of Air India, has also visited the site of Thursday’s crash. Footage broadcast by Indian media showed him surrounded by reporters, though he did not answer questions. In a statement on Thursday he expressed his “deep sorrow” at the incident, and said Air India would “continue to share accurate and timely information as soon as we can”. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Ahmedabad, local media has reported. Indian broadcasters have shown the leader visiting the Civil Hospital to meet with the injured, and walking around the site of the plane crash. Modi earlier said he was “stunned and saddened” by the crash, calling it “heartbreaking beyond words”. Ahmedabad, where the disaster occured, is the main city in the leader’s home state of Gujarat. Here are some images from Ahmedabad, where efforts to recover and identify bodies are ongoing. Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanan Desai said 265 bodies had so far been counted, suggesting at least 24 people died on the ground, though the death toll may rise further. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Ahmedabad today, according to local media. The BBC has reported that a road leading to the crash site has been blocked and that there is a heavy security presence. Earlier today, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked foreign leaders and governments for their condolences, writing on X: “We appreciate this deeply.” Air India has set up friends and relatives assistance centres at Gatwick, Mumbai, Dehli and Ahmedabad airports to provide support in the wake of the AI171 crash. “These centres are facilitating the travel of family members to Ahmedabad,” the airline said in a post on X. One of two black boxes has been found following yesterday’s crash, local newspaper Hindustan Times has reported. Investigators will be looking to swiftly analyse this black box data. The Indian-led crash investigation will include experts from the UK Air Accident Investigation Branch, because of the number of British victims, the US National Transportation Safety Board and Boeing. The Guardian’s Transport correspondent Gwyn Topham has written about the investigation, and the history of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. You can read his report here. It’s now approaching 8am in Ahmedabad, where mourning families are giving DNA samples to identify missing relatives. Indian police said at least 265 bodies had been recovered from the site - both from the wreckage of the plane and the medical staff accommodation into which the jet crashed. The toll may rise further as more bodies are located. AFP has spoken to families at the scene: Ashfaque Nanabawa, 40, said he had come to find his cousin Akeel Nanabawa, who had been onboard with his wife and three-year-old daughter. He said they had spoken as his cousin sat in the plane just before takeoff. “He called us and he said: ‘I am in the plane and I have boarded safely and everything was okay’. That was his last call.” Nanabawa, speaking in the early hours of Friday morning, said he and his family had given DNA samples, but were yet to “identify any of the bodies”. A dozen doctors were collecting the DNA samples inside a hall in the city. “We have taken samples of babies and those above 80 years old. I don’t have words to explain this,” said a doctor, on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media. “As doctors, you’re always prepared for the worst right?” the medic added. “But this is just overwhelming. Families are crying, looking for answers.” “One person came to give the sample... his child, wife and mother were on the flight”, the doctor added. “What do I even say?” A woman, too grief-stricken to give her name, said her son-in-law had been killed. “My daughter doesn’t know that he’s no more”, she said, wiping away tears. “I can’t break the news to her, can someone else do that please?” A team of caregivers from Air India arrived in Ahmedabad last night to provide support to its teams on ground, the airline has said. “We are working with local authorities to provide necessary assistance and are extending full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident,” Air India said in a statement. N. Chandrasekaran, chairman of The Tata Group, which owns Air India, said he is “deeply anguished by the tragic event involving Air India Flight 171”. He said in a statement: “No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and with those who have been injured. Tata group will provide Rs 1 crore [116,456USD] to the families of each person who has lost their life in this tragedy. We will also cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that they receive all necessary care and support. Additionally, we will provide support in the building up of the B J Medical’s hostel. We remain steadfast in standing with the affected families and communities during this unimaginable time. Following on from the Boeing CEO cancelling his trip to the Paris Airshow next week, aircraft engine-maker GE Aerospace has postponed its investor day, Reuters has reported. The company, whose engines were in the Boeing 787 plane, had planned an investor day on June 17 coinciding with the show. It said on Thursday the briefing had been canceled and it would put a team together to go to India and analyze data from the crashed airplane. “GE Aerospace’s senior leadership is focused on supporting our customers and the investigation,” the company said in a statement. India’s government has opened a formal investigation into the cause of the crash. Here are some images from Ahmedabad. Tributes have been paid to the British people who are believed to be among the more than 240 people who died in the Air India crash, the UK’s PA Media reports. Raj Mishra, the mayor of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, called for people to come together as he announced the deaths of three people from his community. Among those lost were Raxa Modha, infant Rudra Modha, and Ms K Mistri, all from our Wellingborough community. I extend my deepest condolences to their families, friends and all those affected by this heartbreaking event.” The Gloucester Muslim Community group offered “sincere and deepest condolences” after Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa and their daughter Sara were reported to be among the victims. During this moment of overwhelming sorrow, our hearts go out to all those left behind. No words can truly ease the pain of such a profound loss, but we pray that the family may find solace in the tremendous outpouring of compassion and solidarity from communities across the world.” Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who run a spiritual wellness centre, were also said to be among the dead. Mr Greenlaw is said to have appeared on ITV’s This Morning earlier this year to talk about wellness and video online shows the pair laughing and joking as they filmed a video of themselves at the airport before taking off. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who is believed to be the only survivor of the crash, was on board the flight with his older brother Ajay. One of their relatives said Vishwash had spoken to his father after the crash and asked after his brother. After the crash he spoke to his dad worrying about his brother saying, ‘Where’s Ajay’?” Sky News has managed to speak to Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who is thought to be the only survivor of the Air India crash. They say he has been in a hospital ward since he exited the aircraft. They said he was sitting up in bed, was conscious and has a lot of bruising on his arms and face. Local doctors said the British man has been walking and, other than a few scratches, all of the tests they have performed show he is miraculously unharmed. Friends and family members of Britons Akeel Nanabawa and Hannaa Vorajee, who died alongside their four-year-old daughter Sara in the Air India crash, have been speaking to the BBC. Sara has been described as a “ray of sunshine” who “lit up the classroom”. The headteacher of her primary school, Abdullah Samad, said the couple were well-known for their charity work and generosity. “They helped fundraise for the humanitarian efforts in Gaza and medical care for poor individuals in India. That was part of their service to the community,” he said. In his email to staff, seen by Reuters, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said he and executive vice-president, Stephanie Pope, had been in touch with Air India leaders to offer their support. He said he had spoken to Jennifer Homendy, the chair of the US national transportation safety board and committed to supporting the investigative process. We are also supporting India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau as it is the lead agency conducting the accident investigation.” He adds that it is important not to “speculate about the accident and let the investigators do their work.” In an email to staff, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has said that he has cancelled plans to attend the Paris Air show next week. Thursday’s Air India crash came just as aerospace leaders were set to converge at Le Bourget Airport for next week’s Paris Air Show. Prior to Thursday, industry insiders expected the focus at Le Bourget to include the aviation sector’s adaptation to trade tensions, the latest state-of-the-art flying technologies and the outlook for any improvement in the supply chain that has slowed deliveries from Boeing and rival Airbus. But the crash is now certain to be a major issue. “A week from now there probably will be one or two operating hypothesis of what happened that people at the show and the public will be talking about,” said Morningstar analyst Nicolas Owens. Shares in Boeing finished down nearly 5% on Thursday, AFP reports, with the crash likely to lead to further rounds of negative headlines at a time when the company has shown progress under new leadership. “Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad,” said Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, adding in a statement that he told Air India’s chairman Boeing would support the probe. Retired United Airlines captain Ross Aimer has told Sky News that although the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has had some “teething problems”, it has been a “mostly trouble-free aircraft for a long, long time”. As well as the more than 240 killed on board the plane, at least 24 people on the ground died after the flight crashed into a hostel housing medical students in a crowded residential area of Ahmedabad. A resident, who declined to be named, told AFP: “We saw people from the building jumping from the second and third floor to save themselves. The plane was in flames.” When we reached the spot there were several bodies lying around and firefighters were dousing the flames.” A doctor named Krishna said that “the nose and front wheel landed on the canteen building where students were having lunch.” He said he saw “about 15 to 20 burned bodies”, while he and his colleagues rescued around 15 students. The BBC is reporting that family members and friends of a number of the passengers who were on board the crashed plane have gathered in Ahmedabad’s hospital for DNA tests to help identify the victims. India’s home minister, Amit Shah, has said the final death toll would only be known after the DNA testing had been completed on the victims’ remains. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh is thought to be the only survivor of the crash. Speaking outside his family home in Leicester, his brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh told Sky News: “We were just shocked as soon as we heard it. I last spoke to him yesterday morning. We’re devastated, just devastated. He said ‘I have no idea how I exited the plane’.” He video-called my dad as he crashed and said, ‘Oh, the plane’s crashed. I don’t know where my brother is. I don’t see any other passengers. I don’t know how I’m alive, how I exited the plane’.” Dr Dhaval Gameti, who treated Ramesh, said: “He was disorientated, with multiple injuries all over his body. But he seems to be out of danger.” New images from the newswires show doctors gathered in a hospital in Ahmedabad as authorities work to identify victims of the Air India Flight 171 crash using DNA testing. Many of the bodies recovered from the wreckage were badly burned, making visual identification very difficult. Doctors at the hospital have been receiving remains from the crash site and are currently relying on DNA samples provided by relatives to help match identities. The British high commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, says UK officials are working tirelessly to support British nationals affected by the crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad. “My team and I have visited the crash site and hospital in Ahmedabad,” Cameron said in a post on X. Colleagues in the UK and India are working around the clock to gather information and support British nationals affected. Earlier today, the British high commission in India confirmed it is coordinating closely with local authorities. India is in mourning following what a senior BJP spokesperson has described as a “devastating” national tragedy after the crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad. Speaking to Sky News, Javieer Shergill, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, said today will go down as a “devastating, disturbing and very, very sad day for India”. Calling the disaster “not just a global aviation tragedy” but a “national loss”, Shergill said: The entire country is mourning. India cannot come to grips with the reality that in less than a minute, 241 lives were lost, extinguished in less than a minute. Shergill also expressed solidarity with the nations whose citizens were on board. “India, England, Portugal and Canada stand together in this hour of grief,” he said, adding that the Indian government is committed to a “complete, impartial, threadbare investigation”. A family handout photo has been issued of Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa and their four-year-old daughter Sara. The family from Gloucester died after their Air India flight, which was carrying 242 people from the city of Ahmedabad, crashed earlier today. US transportation secretary Sean Duffy says there is currently “no indication” of safety concerns with the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the aircraft model involved in the deadly crash of Air India Flight 171. Speaking at a news conference that has just concluded, Duffy stressed that the investigation remains in its early stages and that no conclusions have yet been drawn. “We have no preliminary information,” he told reporters. “We don’t have that information yet, it’s very new. Our teams are just going to deploy [to India] right now.” US transportation secretary Sean Duffy has just issued an update on the probe into the fatal crash of Air India Flight 171. Speaking at a press conference, Duffy said: “If there are initial factors of concern in regard to safety… we will be made aware and we will take action.” Because for us safety is paramount… whenever one of these planes go down we take it very seriously, and deploy every asset and resource available to assist in those investigations. Earlier Duffy confirmed the US is working closely with Indian authorities and stressed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would be assisting with the investigation. A London MP said some of his constituents had been notified of the deaths of their relatives in the Air India crash. Bob Blackman told the PA news agency: “The position is that we’ve got four workers at temples in my constituency who’ve been notified that their relatives, very sadly, died in the air crash.” The MP for Harrow East said these deaths were among the 52 British nationals who died on the flight but that it was not yet clear if they also lived in his constituency. He said he believed there were many Indian nationals onboard due to visit loved ones in the UK. “We also know that there are 169 Indian nationals on the flight who are almost certainly visiting family and friends in the United Kingdom, but we don’t know where they were visiting or who they were visiting, what part of their family was, so a lot of the work that’s going on right now is to identify who those people are and who they’re visiting.” Special prayer services have been held across London following the crash of Air India Flight 171, as members of the UK’s Indian community mourn those lost in the disaster. Many have close ties to Gujarat, the state where the aircraft went down. In Harrow, a vigil and prayer meeting was held at the International Siddhashram Shakti Centre, drawing a large turnout. Meanwhile, around 100 people gathered at the Hindu Neasden Temple in London, one of Europe’s largest Hindu temples, for a solemn evening of prayer. Yogvivekdas Swami, who led the service in Neasden, offered blessings for those who died, those injured, and those left behind. “We will offer prayers for the unfortunate people who have passed away, the passengers, the crew, the pilots,” he said. “Also, for all their family members, that they may find strength and courage at this very difficult and challenging time.” Amit Shah, India’s home affairs minister and member of parliament for Gandhinagar, has personally visited the hospital treating those affected by the Air India Flight 171 crash. Shah, one of the country’s most prominent politicians and a close ally of India’s prime minister Narendra Modi, said on X: Visited the hospital and met with the people injured in the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. Spoke with the affected family members and assured them of every possible support required for the swift recovery of the injured. Also discussed with the doctors about their present health conditions. Earlier in the day, he expressed his grief, posting: “Pained beyond words by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad.” Air India has just confirmed that 241 people were killed in the crash of Flight AI171. The airline said the sole survivor is currently being treated in hospital. In a statement posted to X, the airline said: Air India offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of all those affected, their families and loved ones. A team of caregivers from Air India has been deployed to Ahmedabad to support grieving families and assist local officials. The airline added that it is fully cooperating with authorities leading the investigation. The aircraft, a Boeing 787 en route to London Gatwick, was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew when it crashed into a residential area, with further deaths reported on the ground. The United States has pledged full support for the investigation into the crash of Air India Flight 171, with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigators en route to the site in Ahmedabad. Sean Duffy, the US secretary of transportation, said the country is “deeply saddened by the crash in India. Our prayers are with the families who lost loved ones”. Duffy stressed that “safety is paramount”, and confirmed the FAA is working closely with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to assist Indian authorities in the investigation. We are prepared to send additional resources to get the data we need to ensure the safety of the flying public. He added that the FAA has already engaged Boeing and GE, the manufacturers of the aircraft, to support the investigation, adding: “We will not hesitate to implement any safety recommendations that may arise. We will follow the facts and put safety first.” Amid the darkness in Ahmedabad, rescue efforts are still ongoing at the crash site. Here are some of the latest images coming in from the scene via the newswires: The UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, has chaired a Cobra meeting in response to the Air India plane crash, PA reports. The emergency meeting was convened after the flight, en route to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad in western India. Among the passengers were 53 British nationals, including one known survivor. Senior ministers and officials are believed to have discussed the UK’s response, including consular support for families and coordination with Indian authorities. Earlier the Foreign Office said it deployed a multidisciplinary investigation team to India. World leaders have expressed grief and solidarity after the crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad, which has left more than 290 people dead. The UN secretary general, António Guterres, is “deeply saddened” by the tragedy and “wishes a swift and full recovery to those who were injured”, said a spokesperson. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and government of India, as well as to all countries whose citizens were affected by this tragedy. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese called the crash “absolutely devastating”, adding: “In this time of tragedy, Australia’s thoughts are with everyone affected. Our government is receiving regular updates and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.” French president Emmanuel Macron also paid tribute, writing on X: “We have learned with deep emotion of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. In this time of sorrow, I extend our heartfelt thoughts to the victims’ loved ones and to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” Authorities in Gujarat have begun preparations for DNA testing to help identify victims of the Air India Flight 171 disaster. “Most of the bodies have been charred beyond recognition,” said Vidhi Chaudhary, a senior police officer in Ahmedabad, where the London-bound Boeing 787 crashed shortly after takeoff. Dhananjay Dwivedi, a senior state official, told AP that DNA sampling arrangements were being made to assist families and ensure proper identification. The sole Canadian national confirmed to have died in the crash of Air India Flight 171 has been named by her family as Nirali Sureshkumar Patel, a dentist based in Mississauga, Ontario. Her dental clinic confirmed her identity and referred enquiries to her husband, who said he was preparing to travel to India with their one-year-old child. “That was my wife,” he told Canadian Press. “I am not in a state to speak right now.” He declined to provide his full name. Patel was among the 240 passengers onboard the London-bound Boeing 787, which crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad, killing more than 290 people. The Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, said he was “devastated”. In a post on X, he added: My thoughts are with the loved ones of everyone on board. Canada’s transportation officials are in close contact with counterparts. The president and CEO of Boeing, Kelly Ortberg, has now issued a statement about the crash: Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad. I have spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to offer our full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. Gujarat’s former chief minister Vijay Rupani was among those killed in the Air India crash in Ahmedabad, authorities have said. CR Paatil, president of the Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat, told reporters: Our leader Vijay Rupani, was going (to London) to meet his family. He is also a victim in this incident. May his soul rest in peace. This is a big loss for the BJP. India’s defence minister Rajnath Singh said he was “deeply pained” by Rupani’s death, adding: He will be remembered as a grassroots leader who devoted his life for the development & welfare of his state. Condolences to his bereaved family. Om Shanti. India’s minister of finance and corporate affairs Nirmala Sitharaman also a released a statement saying: Tragic. Shocked at the demise of Shri. Vijay Rupani, former Chief Minister of Gujarat—soft spoken, gentle and a committed leader. A big loss for the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP). Condolences to his family, friends and followers. India’s civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu has announced a formal investigation into the Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff in the north-west city of Ahmedabad. A statement on social media reads: Following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, a formal investigation has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Additionally, the Government is constituting a high-level committee comprising experts from multiple disciplines to examine the matter in detail. The committee will work to strengthen aviation safety and prevent such incidents in future. Keir Starmer has described the news from India as “absolutely devastating” and said a UK team has been dispatched to join the investigation into the Ahmedabad crash. I speak for the entire country in saying that our thoughts are with each and every one of those involved. There will be British and Indian families across the land who are absolutely impacted by this. The UK prime minister confirmed that a team has been dispatched to India to help local authorities. The foreign secretary is leading on this, and we’ll obviously update as soon as we can. Investigators will hope to swiftly locate and analyse the black box data recorders for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, including the cockpit voice recorder. Despite its human toll, the Ahmedabad crash was relatively low-impact. CCTV footage shows the plane starting to descend just seconds after leaving the runway. According to flight-tracking information on Flight Radar, the plane had reached a maximum height of just 190 metres (625ft). Plane crashes are statistically most likely to happen during landing or takeoff, but experts said there appeared to be no obvious explanation for the crash. Weather conditions were benign. Images show the plane’s nose in the air, indicating the pilots were trying to keep it aloft, although the landing gear was apparently lowered. Donald Trump has spoken about the crash in Ahmedabad, describing the incident as “one of the most worst crashes in aviation history”. The US president, speaking at the White House, said he has offered “anything we can do” to Indian authorities after the “horrific crash”. Trump said: Nobody had any idea what happened. It looks like it was flying just fine. Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee and their daughter Sara, who lived in Gloucester, were also on board the flight, according to the Gloucester Muslim Community. In a statement, it said: You’ll be aware of the tragic plane crash earlier today enroute to London. Unfortunately, we are led to believe that three Gloucester locals: Akeel Nanabawa, his wife and 4 year old child, were all onboard. Those wishing to do taziyat, please allow the family some time to mourn amongst themselves. In a post on social media, the Gloucester Muslim Bereavement Council said it was “profoundly heartbroken by the devastating loss of life in the catastrophic crash of Flight AI171, travelling from Ahmedabad to London.” Naming the three victims, it said in a statement: During this moment of overwhelming sorrow, our hearts go out to all those left behind. No words can truly ease the pain of such a profound loss, but we pray that the family may find solace in the tremendous outpouring of compassion and solidarity from communities across the world. British Indian community groups have called for a “full and transparent inquiry” into the cause of the Air India crash, as plans begin for a vigil and authorities offer visa assistance to Britons who believe they are affected. In a statement, the National Council of Gujarati Organisations UK, an umbrella organisation for British Indian associations with connections to the area where the flight AI171 went down, said “the Gujarati and wider Indian communities across the United Kingdom and around the world are united in grief over this unimaginable loss.” The statement added: We commend the swift efforts of emergency services and authorities involved in the rescue and investigation. The UK is working closely with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved. We also call for a full and transparent inquiry into the cause of this tragedy. On behalf of the NCGO UK, we extend our deepest condolences to all the bereaved families. We are actively working with community organisations, temples and the High Commission of India to offer support to those impacted. A community vigil is being planned in the coming days to bring people together in prayer, remembrance and solidarity. Former home secretary and shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel, who is from a Gujarati family, has said on X that her “thoughts and prayers” were with those affected, adding: As further information comes forward, the Government needs to ensure it is working with Indian authorities to support British families affected. Vimalji Odedra, President of NCGO UK said: Our entire community is mourning. We are devastated by the tragic loss of life and stand with the grieving families at this time. As a community, we will continue to offer strength, unity and support, wherever it is needed. The National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK says it is “monitoring events” amid concerns students have been affected, but urged “everyone to refrain from speculation.” British nationals who need consular assistance or are concerned about friends and family have been urged to contact the FDCO helpline on 020 7008 5000. Meanwhile, the High Commission of India has issued an emergency number for Britons seeking visa assistance for travel after the tragedy in Ahmedabad. In a statement, “next of kin of relatives of any passengers on board” were urged to get in touch for “only for emergency visa-related enquiries” on 07768 765 035. Here’s a map showing the debris field at the site of the crash in Ahmedabad: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British-Indian man believed to be the only survivor of the Ahmedabad crash, has “no idea” how he escaped the plane, his brother has said. Ramesh’s brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, was quoted by PA news agency speaking outside the family home in Leicester: We were just shocked as soon as we heard it. I last spoke to him yesterday morning. We’re devastated, just devastated. He said I have no idea how I exited the plane. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British-Indian man who is believed to be the sole survivor of the Ahmedabad crash, has told his family he is “fine” on a phone call, his cousin has said. His cousin, Ajay Valgi, told the BBC: He only said that he’s fine, nothing else. Ramesh was sitting next to his brother on the flight and has a wife and “little boy” at home, his cousin said. Their relatives have gathered at the family home in Leicester in support and mourning, according to the outlet. Asked about reports that Ramesh was the sole survivor of the crash, the cousin said: Yes, we heard that, but still can’t say anything unless we hear it from the proper people. Air India said a “special team of caregivers” has arrived in Ahmedabad to provide support to its team at the site of the crash. A post on social media reads: We are working with local authorities to provide necessary assistance and are extending full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident. Here are some of the latest images coming in via the newswires: More than 290 people were killed in a plane crash in India’s Ahmedabad city on Thursday, a police officer told Reuters. The plane was headed for Gatwick Airport, south of the British capital, Air India said, while police officers said it crashed in a residential area near the airport, Reuters reported. More than 100 bodies, most of them badly charred, had been brought to the local government hospital for autopsy, police said. Part of the Air India plane fell on top of the dining area of BJ Medical college, killing at least five medical students and injuring nearly 50, according to Divyansh Singh, vice-president of the Federation of All India Medical Association, a national body that represents resident doctors across the country. Ahmedabad police have said there was at least one survivor from the flight. According to media reports, the sole survivor of the crash was 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British-Indian, who lives in London and was in Ahmedabad visiting family. He said he had lived in London for the past 20 years and had travelled to India with his brother who was also on the plane. “Thirty seconds after take off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” said Ramesh, speaking to the Hindustan Times. He said he “impact injuries”, including bruising on his chest, eyes and feet but was otherwise lucid and conscious. Gatwick airport’s chief executive says he is “very saddened” by the crash, and that the airport is working to support relatives of those on board. Stewart Wingate adds: “Our thoughts are with [their family and friends.” The airport says it usually sees 12 Air India departures per week – including five to Ahmedabad. The Indian army has deployed 130 personnel including doctors and paramedics to assist civil authorities in Ahmedabad in clearing debris from the Air India plane crash and help treat the injured, reports the Associated Press (AP). The city’s local military hospital has also been kept on a standby, the army said in a statement. Britons who fear their relatives were involved with the Air India crash have been in contact with UK Gujarati organisations for help, a community leader has said. Krishna Pujara, vice-president of the National Council for Gujarati Organisations in the UK, told the Guardian they were in contact with a “number of relatives” and were in communication with officials in Gujarat and the India High Commission to see if they could “help find answers for them”. The US government says it is ready to send a team to help investigate the Air India crash if Indian officials request it. According to the Associated Press (AP), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) would be the US government’s primary representative and the FAA provides technical support. London Gatwick airport in south London says it is “liaising closely with Air India” and that staff are setting up a reception centre for relatives of those on board the Air India flight AI171 to provide “information and support.” In a statement posted on social media, it said the flight, which had more than 240 passengers and crew aboard, was due to land at the airport at 6.25pm local time. Pakistani foreign minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday he was “saddened” by the plane crash in neighbouring India, where all 242 people on board an Air India flight are believed to have died. “Condolences over the loss of precious lives in this tragic incident. Our sympathies are with the families of the victims in this hour of grief,” Dar, who also serves as deputy prime minister, said on X. US planemaker Boeing said it was ready to support Air India after the crash on Thursday of a London-bound flight with 242 people on board, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP). “We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them,” said a Boeing statement. “Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected.” The crash is the deadliest aviation incident involving Britons in recent years, casting a shadow of mourning over large parts of the country. Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West and the chair of the all-party parliamentary group on British Gujarati, said the pain will be felt deeply in his community. He said: Harrow is home to a large British-Gujarati community, many of whom have close family ties to Gujarat, and this devastating news will be felt particularly strongly here. My thoughts are with all those who have been injured or lost loved ones and I stand ready to support any Harrow residents who are concerned about the wellbeing of their family or friends affected by this tragedy. Here is some footage that appears to show a British survivor of Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad … Britons who fear their relatives were involved with the Air India crash have been in contact with UK Gujarati organisations for help, a community leader has said. Krishna Pujara, vice-president of the National Council for Gujarati Organisations in the UK, told the Guardian they were in contact with a “number of relatives” and were in communication with officials in Gujarat and the India High Commission to see if they could “help find answers for them”. Meanwhile, a prayer meeting for victims is expected to take place at 4.30pm on Monday in Harrow, northwest London where nearly half of England’s Gujarati-speakers live. The event, at the International Siddhashram Shakti Centre, will bring together members of the close-knit community, which has been devastated by news of the incident in Ahmedabad, for the first time since the news broke. Krishna Pujara, vice-president of the National Council for Gujarati Organisations in the UK said: “It’s a very, very sad day. We have been doing our best to try to help everybody and see what we can do to help. On a dark day for the community we stand in unity with the families of the victims - may they find strength and peace. “There is a prayer meeting this afternoon in Harrow and we will be meeting tonight so we can get all the community faith organisations and the wider Indian diaspora together to help, we have been contacted by a number of relatives and we are dealing with Foreign Office in terms of seeing what we can do to help them. “We are communicating with Gujarat to see if we can help find answers for them and the Indian High Commission. It’s a tragedy for the community. Gujaratis are a very close knit community.” The Indian army has deployed 130 personnel including doctors and paramedics to assist civil authorities in Ahmedabad in clearing debris from the Air India plane crash and help treat the injured, reports the Associated Press (AP). The city’s local military hospital has also been kept on a standby, the army said in a statement. Gatwick airport’s chief executive says he is “very saddened” by the crash, and that the airport is working to support relatives of those on board. Stewart Wingate adds: “Our thoughts are with [their family and friends.” The airport says it usually sees 12 Air India departures per week – including five to Ahmedabad. More than 290 people were killed in a plane crash in India’s Ahmedabad city on Thursday, a police officer told Reuters. More to follow. The US government says it is ready to send a team to help investigate the Air India crash if Indian officials request it. According to the Associated Press (AP), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) would be the US government’s primary representative and the FAA provides technical support. The NTSB routinely helps determine the causes of about 450 international crashes every year. London Gatwick airport in south London says it is “liaising closely with Air India” and that staff are setting up a reception centre for relatives of those on board the Air India flight AI171 to provide “information and support.” In a statement posted on social media, it said the flight, which had more than 240 passengers and crew aboard, was due to land at the airport at 6.25pm local time. Part of the Air India plane fell on top of the dining area of BJ Medical college, killing at least five medical students and injuring nearly 50, according to Divyansh Singh, vice-president of the Federation of All India Medical Association, a national body that represents resident doctors across the country. “Some of the injured are critical. We are in close contact with our peers in the hospital who are on a lookout for more people feared buried in the debris,” he said, reports the Associated Press (AP). An Air India flight from Gatwick to Goa has been cancelled, reports the Associated Press (AP). The flight, which was due to leave on Thursday night from London Gatwick airport to the Indian state of Goa, has been cancelled after the airline’s earlier crash in north-western India. The flight to Manohar International airport had been scheduled to depart at 8.30pm, about two hours after the flight from Ahmedabad had been due to land at the airport south of London, reports the AP. Ahmedabad police have said there was at least one survivor from the flight. According to media reports, the sole survivor of the crash was 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British-Indian who lives in London and was in Ahmedabad visiting family. He said he had lived in London for the past 20 years and had travelled to India with his brother who was also on the plane “Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” said Ramesh, speaking to the Hindustan Times. He said he “impact injuries”, including bruising on his chest, eyes and feet but was otherwise lucid and conscious. Ramesh, who still had his boarding pass, told the Hindustan Times: When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital. Earlier, Ahmedabad police commissioner Gyanendra Singh Malik told the Associated Press that there appeared to be no survivors from the plane crash. Pakistani foreign minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday he was “saddened” by the plane crash in neighbouring India, where all 242 people on board an Air India flight are believed to have died. “Condolences over the loss of precious lives in this tragic incident. Our sympathies are with the families of the victims in this hour of grief,” Dar, who also serves as deputy prime minister, said on X. Campbell Wilson, the chief executive of Air India, has expressed his “deep sorrow” after the London-bound plane crashed on Thursday. He said in a video statement posted on X: I would like to express our deep sorrow about this event. This is a difficult day for all of us at Air India and our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, their families and loved ones. Air India owner, Tata Sons, said it would also cover the medical expenses of those injured after the plane crash at Ahmedabad airport. In a statement posted on X, the chair of the group Natarajan Chandrasekaran said: We are deeply anguished by the tragic event involving Air India flight 171. No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and with those who have been injured. Tata Group will provide ₹1 crore to the families of each person who has lost their life in this tragedy. We will also cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that they receive all necessary care and support. Additionally, we will provide support in the building up of the B J Medical’s hostel. We remain steadfast in standing with the affected families and communities during this unimaginable time. According to the PA news agency, the Tata Sons have said they will offer about £86,000 to the families of each person who died in the Ahmedabad plane crash. The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has released the following statement: The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has formally offered its assistance to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, India. In addition, the UK AAIB will have expert status in the Indian safety investigation. This is in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 because UK citizens were on board the aircraft. We are deploying a multidisciplinary investigation team to India to support the Indian led investigation. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic accident. British nationals who require consular assistance or have concerns about friends or family should call the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO): 020 7008 5000. Here are a few more images coming in via the newswires: Pope Leo XIV expressed his “heartfelt condolences” Thursday to those who have lost loved ones in an air crash in India and prayers for those recovering the bodies of victims. “Deeply saddened by the tragedy involving an Air India aircraft near Ahmedabad, his Holiness Pope Leo XIV sends his heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives,” the Vatican’s secretary of state Cardinal Pietro Parolin said in a telegram. Leo also sent his “assurance of prayers for all involved in the recovery efforts”, Parolin said. Irish premier Micheál Martin has expressed his condolences to those who have died in a London-bound plane that crashed in India. “It is horrific and very, very sad what has happened in India, the plane [crash] just shortly after departure, I believe less than a minute,” the taoiseach said, reports the PA news agency. He added: Our thoughts and our prayers are with the families of those bereaved, crew members bereaved, and with the people of India, Britain and Canada. The world is a much closer place, we all travel. It is extremely sad and shocking that an accident of this scale has occurred with the loss of so much life. It’s not too long away from the commemoration of the Air India disaster in Ireland 50 years ago. All of us who experienced that had a sense of trauma that people go through when crashes of this kind happen. US planemaker Boeing said it was ready to support Air India after the crash on Thursday of a London-bound flight with 242 people on board, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP). “We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them,” said a Boeing statement. “Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected.” Earlier on Thursday, it said it was “working to gather more information” on the incident. The crash was the first ever for a Boeing 787 Dreamliner (see 11.20am BST). There appear to be no survivors from a Gatwick Airport-bound plane carrying 53 British nationals which crashed shortly after take-off in India, a police commissioner has said. Ahmedabad police commissioner Gyanendra Singh Malik told the Associated Press that “some locals would also have died” in the crash on Thursday. A video of the incident circulating online shows the Air India aircraft, which was carrying more than 240 people, flying over a residential area before crashing, creating what appears to be a huge fireball followed by large plumes of black smoke. Images of the aftermath of the crash showed parts of the plane embedded into a residential building as firefighters continued to tackle the smoke. Pieces of the aircraft’s landing gear, fuselage and tail could all be seen protruding from the building. Britain’s King Charles said on Thursday he was desperately shocked by the Air India plane crash in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, with passengers including 53 Britons and one Canadian. “My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning,” the monarch said in a statement. “Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones. “I would like to pay a particular tribute to the heroic efforts of the emergency services and all those providing help and support at this most heartbreaking and traumatic time.” More than 200 people have died after an Air India plane crashed in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad on Thursday, Kanan Desai, a top city police officer told Reuters. The plane was headed for Gatwick Airport, south of the British capital, Air India said, while police officers said it crashed in a residential area near the airport, Reuters reported. More than 100 bodies, most of them badly charred, had been brought to the local government hospital for autopsy, police 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,” a senior police officer told reporters. Parts of the plane’s body were scattered around the building into which it crashed, photographs and videos from the area showed. The tail of the plane was stuck on top of the building. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has stood up a crisis team in India and the UK, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said. The Reuters news agency reported 217 adults and 11 children were on board the flight. Reuters also reported that a senior police officer had said the plane crashed into a doctors’ hostel. India’s minister for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol said there have been reports of 105 casualties after the crash of a Gatwick-bound plane which departed from Ahmedabad airport. According to the PA news agency, Mohol said in a statement translated on Sky News: We have heard there is 105 casualties. We have not given a statement about it … the first of all the priorities is that we have to save as many people as possible. He also said: There is a recovery plan going on at the site. I cannot comment on all this and I think it will take some time. Agence France-Presse (AFP) are reporting that the Ahmedabad police commissioner has said that there “appears to be no survivors” from the Air India plane crash. The police chief added that there are casualties on the ground where the aircraft crashed. Here is what we know so far on the breaking news story of the Air India flight AI171 crash: An Air India passenger plane bound for Gatwick airport with more than 240 people on board has crashed shortly after take off from the north-western Indian city of Ahmedabad. Air India flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 (also known as a Dreamliner), came down in the residential area of Meghani Nagar five minutes after taking off at 1.38pm local time, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the director general of the directorate of civil aviation, told the Associated Press. Footage from the near the scene showed smoke billowing from the crash site. According to reports in the Indian media the plane crashed into a building comprising accommodation for doctors working in local hospitals. The plane issued a mayday call to air traffic control after take off. According to the Flightradar24 website, signal was lost seconds after take off when the plane had reached a height of 625ft. Air India said 242 people were on board, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew. Among those were 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese people and one Canadian, according to the airline. Kidwai said 244 people were onboard – it has not been possible to reconcile the discrepancy. There has been no official word on casualties from the Indian authorities. Rescue personnel at the site, however, told Reuters at least 30 bodies had been recovered from a building where the plane came down. There is no information yet on possible causes, though in aviation, crashes are statistically most likely during landing or take off. An aviation safety expert told the BBC that weather conditions had been stable and clear at the time. This map shows the path of the Air India flight AI171: Amy Leversidge, general secretary of the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa), said: Pilots around the globe are deeply saddened by this news. Members of the British Airline Pilots’ Association send condolences to all those affected. It is vital a full and thorough investigation is now carried out without interference or unhelpful speculation about the contributory factors so that future tragedies can be avoided. Here are a few images coming in via the newswires: Here is a map from our graphics team showing where the Air India flight AI171 crashed in Ahmedabad: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has stood up a crisis team in India and the UK, David Lammy has said. The UK foreign secretary told the House of Commons: My thoughts and I’m sure those of the entire house are with those who’ve been affected by the tragic plane crash in India this morning. We know that British nationals were on board and I can confirm that the FCDO is working urgently with local authorities to support British nationals and their families, and has stood up a crisis team in both Delhi and in London. At least 30 bodies have been recovered from a building at the site of a plane crash in India’s western city of Ahmedabad, rescue personnel at the site said, according to Reuters. More people were trapped inside, the rescue workers said. In a statement on X, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said: The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected. A senior police officer has told reporters that the Air India flight AI171 crashed on a doctors’ hostel. “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,” they said, reports Reuters. The Guardian has been unable to independently verify the report. Here is a video via the newswires that shows smoke rising above Ahmedabad after an Air India flight crashed on Thursday: “Many people” have died in a plane crash in India’s Ahmedabad city, the country’s health minister said on Thursday, the first confirmation of casualties in the accident. In an earlier statement, Air India said the injured were being taken to the nearest hospitals. “At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates,” Air India said on X. The Air India tragedy in Ahmedabad is the first time a Boeing 787 Dreamliner has crashed. While airlines using the Boeing plane have had widespread problems with engines on the 787 plane, leaving many having to ground planes and reduce flights, the 787’s safety record in service has been so far good. However, the US safety regulator the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has had to investigate several concerns over the years, including a mid-air dive on a LATAM flight last year. A whistleblower last year also urged Boeing to ground all 787 Dreamliners worldwide, in Washington hearings. Boeing rejected the claims by the former engineer and said it was fully confident in the plane. There are more than 1,100 787s in service worldwide, used by most major international airlines. The model has been prized for its far better fuel efficiency and lower noise than the types it replaced. The two major crashes that were due to faults on Boeing planes were using the then new 737 Max model, in Indonesia and Ethiopia in 2019 and 2020. That model taken out of service for almost a year, before being relaunched and returned to widespread use. India’s aviation safety history has been chequered, but as the airline industry has boomed and passenger flying has become more and more common, its safety record has improved. Air India now operates about 30 Dreamliners, and has been using the American-built long-haul plane since 2012. In aviation, crashes are statistically most likely on landing or take off. According to flight tracking information on Flightradar24, the plane had taken off and reached a height of 625 feet. The last Air India crash, in August 2020, was on a smaller Boeing 737-800 Air India Express that was landing back at Calicut airport in very bad weather and skidded off the runway. A Boeing spokesperson said: We are aware of initial reports and are working to gather more information. UK prime minister Keir Starmer said his thoughts were with the passengers and families of those on the Air India flight bound for Gatwick airport which crashed in Ahmedabad. According to the PA news agency, he said: The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating. I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time. Here are some more images coming in via the newswires: Air India has said that the passengers on its flight AI171 included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese and one Canadian. In a statement on X, Air India said: Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take off. The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals. The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information. Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident. The UK government will provide “all the support that it can” to those on the Air India flight bound for Gatwick airport which crashed shortly after take off, House of Commons leader Lucy Powell said. According to the PA news agency, speaking in the Commons, Powell said: The thoughts of the whole House and the government will be with the families of those traveling on flight AI171 from Ahmedabad in India to London, Gatwick, which has reportedly crashed. This is an unfolding story, and it will undoubtedly be causing a huge amount of worry and concern to the many, many families and communities here and those waiting for the arrival of their loved ones. We send our deepest sympathy and thoughts to all those families, and the government will provide all the support that it can with those in India [and] those in this country as well. Fifty three British nationals were on board an Air India flight bound for Gatwick airport which crashed after take off in Ahmedabad, Air India said. The UK Foreign Office has said that the UK is working with local authorities in India to “urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved”. A spokesperson for India’s Ahmedabad airport has told the news wires that the airport is not currently operational and all flight operations have been temporarily suspended. Video footage circulating on social media purports to show the Air India flight AI171 crash: Here are a couple of images coming in via the newswires: Gatwick airport posted on X that it could confirm the Air India flight AI171, which had been due to arrive at 6.25pm in London, had crashed on departure from Ahmedabad airport. It added that more information would follow. Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the director general of the directorate of civil aviation, told the Associated Press (AP) that Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787, was carying 232 passengers and 12 crew members. Air India confirmed that its flight 171 from the western city of Ahmedabad to London Gatwick had crashed in a “tragic accident”. “With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India flight 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today,” Air India chair Natarajan Chandrasekaran said in a statement, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP). “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event,” he said, adding that an emergency centre has been activated and a support team set up for families seeking information. The London-bound flight took off from Ahmedabad at about 1.47 pm, slightly delayed from schedule. Officials say it crashed nine minutes after being given clearance for take off. India’s directorate general of civil aviation just gave this statement to Indian media: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal is an LTC with 8,200 hours of experience. The co-pilot had 1100 hours of flying experience. As per ATC, the aircraft departed from Ahmadabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It gave a mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC. Aircraft immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. Heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site. Flight tracker website, Flightradar24, has shared that initial ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance broadcast) data from the Air India flight AI171 shows that the aircraft reached a maximum barometric altitude of 625 feet (airport altitude is about 200 feet). It then started to descend with a vertical speed of -475 feet per minute, it adds. India’s aviation minister has said he is “shocked and devastated” at the flight crash in Ahmedabad. “We are on the highest alert,” he added, with rescue teams mobilised. According to Reuters, the Indian aviation regulator said that the Air India aircraft fell after depature on ground outside the airport perimeter. Although there has not been an official number given of the number of passengers and crew on board the Air India flight AI171 yet, the Indian news agency Asian News International (ANI) and Reuters have cited a police source as saying that there are at least 242 passengers on board. The Guardian has been unable to independently verify the report. Air India have released a statement, reading: Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest on http://airindia.com and on our X handle (https://x.com/airindia). An aircraft has crashed in India’s western city of Ahmedabad, fire service officials have told Agence France-Presse (AFP), without giving immediate details of the plane or any toll. Thick plumes of black smoke were seen over the airport, an AFP reporter said. The Times of India reports that an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, bound for London, crashed shortly after take off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel international airport. According to its report, the aircraft plunged into the Meghani area of the city, triggering an immediate emergency response. This is a breaking news story and we will bring you updates as they come in.

Author: Daniel Lavelle (now); Hayden Vernon , Rebecca Ratcliffe, Jonathan Yerushalmy, Léonie Chao-Fong, Tom Ambrose, Amy Sedghi and Caolán Magee (earlier)