What has happened?
- Air India plane crashed just after take off in Ahmedabad
- More then 290 people have died
- There were 242 people on board, police say one survivor has been found
- Passengers included 169 Indians, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese and 1 Canadian
- Plane crashed onto doctors’ hostel
- The flight was AI171 to London Gatwick
Photos: Debris at the crash site
Boeing CEO says the company is ready to support India’s investigation
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said the Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
He said he had spoken with Air India chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran to offer Boeing’s full support.
Boeing said it would defer to Air India to offer information.
Indian officials offer condolences after death of former Gujarat chief minister in the crash
Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister of India:
“Deeply pained by the tragic demise of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani ji in the unfortunate plane crash in Ahmedabad. 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.”
Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance and Corporate Affair:
“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.”
Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways:
“Deeply saddened by the tragic demise of Vijay Rupani Ji, former Chief Minister of Gujarat, in the Ahmedabad flight crash. His contributions to the state and the nation will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti.”
The world’s worst air crashes in recent years
UNITED STATES
More than 60 people were killed when an American Airlines regional passenger jet collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on January 29 and crashed into the frigid Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
