Air India has confirmed that its Flight 171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in a fatal crash on Thursday, with over 200 passengers reportedly on board.
The airline’s chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as a “tragic accident.”
“With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today,” Chandrasekaran said in a statement.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event,” he added.
He further stated that an emergency centre has been activated and a dedicated support team has been set up to assist families seeking information about their loved ones.
A local airport official in Ahmedabad, speaking to AFP, confirmed the number of passengers on board.
“There were more than 200 passengers on board the aircraft,” the official said.
Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, typically accommodates over 200 passengers. The airline has not yet released further details regarding the cause of the crash or the number of casualties.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing, while rescue and emergency response efforts have been deployed to the crash site.
AFP
