Authority investigation into more agencies after Air India crashed, killing more than 240 people: NPR

Indian Home Minister Amit is nearby to recover all the remains after an Indian passenger jet crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad, a city in northwestern India, killing more than 200 people on Thursday evening.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members was tied to London when it crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday.

Almost everyone on board was killed. One passenger is a British Indian national who is currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital. Shah said he met with the only survivor but did not provide details about his condition.

He also confirmed that authorities have begun conducting DNA testing on the victims and began collecting samples from the families of people who are believed to be on board.

“The plane carried almost (125,000 liters) of fuel. The temperature was so high that there was no chance that anyone could save,” Shah said.

It remains unknown what caused the plane to crash. The victims may have been injured or killed after the plane, or that part of the plane had collided with the hostel cafeteria for students at BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad.

The All India Medical Association (FAIMA) Federation of India said 50 medical students have been admitted to hospitals at X, at least four students have gone missing, and at least two are in critical condition.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the UK's Aviation Accident Investigation Unit will dispatch investigators to assist in investigating crashes.

In a statement, Boeing CEO Kelly Autoberg said he spoke to Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran about providing support.

“The Boeing team is ready to support the investigation led by the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau,” Autoberg added.

On Thursday, President Trump called the crash a plane “terrifying” and “terrifying” and said the US was ready to help.

“I've already said whatever they can, what we can do. It's a big country, a strong country, they'll handle it – I'm sure.

what happened

Air India Flight 171 has been detained for the Gatwick airport in London. Air India said the flight is carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian and seven Portuguese people. Government officials confirmed that former Indian prime minister, Gujarat prime minister Vijay Rupani, was killed in the crash.

Video posted by India's Prestolast showed the plane sinking in the residential area, followed by a sound of an explosion and a ball of fire. Press Trust shared images of Medic running through the victim on a stretcher. The plane crashed just five minutes after taking off, according to Civil Aviation Director Faiz Ahmed Kidwy, who spoke to the Associated Press.

Reuters reported that at least 30 bodies had been recovered from the building at the site of the plane crash. Multiple videos shared by residents appeared to show burnt body and body parts at the crash location.

At least 90 people were brought in, according to doctors at the trauma center where the victim was being treated. The doctor requested anonymity as he was not permitted to speak to the media.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the crash a “tragedy” and “a tragedy.”

“It's more heartbreaking than words. In this sad time, my thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by it,” he wrote to X.

Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chairman of TATA Group, which operates Air India, said in a statement that AI171 is involved in a “tragic incident.” He said the conglomerate is supporting emergency response teams and providing care and support to those affected.

What we know about the Boeing 737

According to the Air Safety Network, this is the first crash of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The aircraft made a “mayday” call and showed an emergency before crashing. The 787 was introduced in 2009 and is operated worldwide by over 1,000 people, according to Boeing.

The New York Times reported in April 2024 that the Federal Aviation Administration was investigating allegations by a whistleblower, a Boeing engineer. At the time, Boeing told the paper, “We decided this was not an immediate safety for flight issues.”

The last major plane crash in India was in 2020, when a Boeing 737 slipped off the runway on a hill, killing 21 people.

The crash adds to Boeing's misery. Its reputation was hit after two fatal accidents, including a 737 Max 8. In 2019, an Ethiopian airline flight crashed, with all 149 people on board, and in October 2018 a lion air force flight crashed in the sea near the Indonesian capital Jakarta, killing all 189 passengers on board.

The Crush comes just days before the Paris Air Show, where Boeing is expected to host a massive pavilion.

Raksha Kumar and Shweta Desai contributed to this story from Mumbai, India.