Air India Flight Crashes: A London-bound Air India passenger plane today crashed in the Meghani Nagar area near Ahmedabad airport in Gujarat. Flight number AI-171 was operating from Ahmedabad to London. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation there were 242 people on board the aircraft, consisting of 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, one Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals.
The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. A dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 has ben set up by Air India to provide more information. Fire and police teams have been rushed to the spot immediately after receiving the alert. Three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising 90 personnel have been moved from Gandhinagar to the plane crash site. Three more NDRF teams are being moved from Vadodara. The injured have been shifted to the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital for treatment. Further investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the crash. All roads leading to the crash site have been sealed off to facilitate rescue and relief operations. Air India has said that they are ascertaining the details.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu over the Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad. He took stock of the situation and asked them to go to Ahmedabad. Mr. Modi also directed them to ensure that all possible assistance is extended immediately to those affected in the wake of the air mishap. Mr. Naidu added that all the relevant agencies are on high alert and coordinated efforts are underway. He said his ministry is monitoring the situation. The Minister added that has directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action.
On the other hand, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to the Gujarat Chief Minister and State Home Minister over the incident. The Chief Minister said instructions have also been given to arrange a green corridor for transporting the injured to hospitals and to ensure all medical facilities are made available on priority.
Director General of Aircraft Accident investigation Bureau, Director Investigation and Go Team are also on the way to Ahemdabad following Air India aircraft crash.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation informed that an operational control room has been activated at the Ministry to coordinate all details at contact numbers 011-24610843 and 9650391859. It added that the Ministry is committed to swift response and full support to all affected.
