London-bound Air India flight AI171 with more than 240 passengers, including 53 British nationals aboard, crashed near Ahmedabad Airport on Thursday shortly after takeoff. According to the reports, there appeared to be no survivors from the plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. More than 204 bodies have been recovered so far, but the total casualties remain unclear as rescuers proceed to work further.
Casualties and Injuries from the plane crash in Ahmedabad
The plane crashed into a building comprising accommodation for doctors working in local hospitals. At least 90 emergency response workers are currently deployed at the site of the plane crash in Ahmedabad. It is still unclear whether there are any survivors.
Some survivors were pulled from the wreckage of surrounding buildings and taken away in ambulances. So far, some 50 to 60 students studying medicine were taken to the hospital after the Air India flight crashed into a doctors’ hostel. Five students are missing, and at least two are in the intensive care unit.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Gyanendra Singh Malik told The Associated Press that
“some locals would also have died.”
What took place?
Despite the cause of the crash still being unknown, based on reports by The Telegraph, it appears that the pilot, Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal, was a highly experienced pilot with 8,200 hours of flying experience. It appears the Dreamliner took off at 1:39 p.m. local time (9:09 a.m. BST) from Runway 23, and after a while, it gave a “mayday” call, signalling an emergency, but there was no response from the aircraft thereafter.
However, according to an international aviation attorney, the plane crash in Ahmedabad may have been caused by a power or flight control loss.
Robert A. Clifford, who worked as the lead counsel in the crash of a Boeing 737 in Ethiopia six years ago that killed all 157 onboard, said:
Review of available video and eyewitness information indicates some form of power or flight control loss.
Mr. Clifford, senior partner at Clifford Law Offices in Chicago, added
The Indian government investigators should have flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder information within a couple of days that will provide vital information to try to get to the bottom of this deadly tragedy.
Airports open support to the families
Despite the uncertainties, the airports and governments are trying to support the concerned families as much as possible. The Foreign Office’s Global Response Centre, a 24-hour helpline for British people abroad, is handling communications with suspected victims’ families in the meantime.
The airline, in a posting on X, said
We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information. London Gatwick is liaising closely with Air India and a reception centre for relatives of those on board is being set up where information and support will be provided
British nationals who require consular assistance or have concerns about friends or family should call 020 7008 5000.
The Government of Gujarat State has established an emergency centre that can be contacted on: +91 (0) 79 23251900 / +91 (0) 9078405304.
The families in India with concerns are advised to call Air India on 1800569144. For people living outside India, it is advised to call the British Foreign Office on 0207008500.
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