Air India Flight, on its way to London, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed earlier today shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad, the western city of Guajarat, India.
Here's what we know so far about crashes:
Timeline: According to air tracker Flightradar24, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner Air India Flight 171 departed from Ahmedabad International Airport at its destination at London Gatwick Airport (4:08am (ET)) local time (4:38pm (4:08am). The aircraft's signal was lost less than a minute at an altitude of 625 feet.
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Social media videos show flames and thick smoke swirl through the air as the Air India airliner carrying 242 people crashed shortly after takeoff. The plane left the airport in Ahmedabad, India, and was tied up towards Gatwick, London. #cnn #news #india
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Victims: Air India CEO Campbell Wilson in a social media video message today said that injured passengers were taken to a local hospital and “providing additional support for Air India's special team of caregivers heading to Ahmedabad.” They fear that more than 200 people have died, but the number of casualties is not immediately clear. Police Chief of Ahmedabad told Associated Press earlier it appears there are no survivors.
Areas: The Federation of All India Medical Association said 50-60 students were admitted to local hospitals after the flight collided with the hostel of the BJ Medical College and the hospital. A group statement said some residents and their parents are said to be missing, but one resident's wife was found dead.
Who was on board? Wilson said 230 passengers were on the flight, with 12 crew members presenting them. He confirmed that 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian national on board.
Investigation: India's civil aviation authorities are expected to take the lead, according to CNN's Richard Quest, but “parties to the investigation” could include the US and UK destination countries where the aircraft are manufactured. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it will lead a team heading to India to help investigate local government conflicts. The British Air Accident Investigation Division (AAIB) has formally provided assistance to Indian authorities following the collision.
Boeing's response: Boeing said he was in contact with the airline. “Our idea was influenced by passengers, crew, first responders and everything,” he added to the X-Post. This is the latest in a series of incidents aimed at plane makers over the past few years.
Support for Victims: Tata Group, owner of Air India and one of India's largest conglomerates, says it will provide one croule ($116,868) to each life-losed family.
