A London-bound Air India passenger plane carrying 242 people, including 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew members, crashed in the Meghani Nagar area near Ahmedabad airport in Gujarat. Of the passengers, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and 7 Portuguese nationals were onboard flight number AI-171, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London.

According to media reports, as per flight-tracking website Flightradar, the aircraft reached a height of 625ft before crashing. The last signal from the plane was received less than a minute after take-off.

The aircraft crashed into a residential area of the city called Meghaninagar, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the director general of the directorate of civil aviation, told the Associated Press. It came down just outside the airport, hitting the residential quarters of BJ Medical College where students were staying.

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was among the passengers on board, had lost his life in the incident. One survivor with minor injuries has been found. He has been identified as Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a British national. The injured were taken to the nearest hospitals.

Home Minister Amit Shah visits crash site:

Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited the plane crash site and met the injured people in the hospital, has said the tragedy has left the entire nation in shock, and the government is standing with the kin of those who have lost their lives.

Briefing media in Ahmedabad this evening, the Union Home Minister said, DNA tests will be completed soon, after which the bodies will be handed over to the families. He informed that the aviation department has begun its probe into the incident. 

He earlier on the day had spoken to the Gujarat Chief Minister and State Home Minister about the incident. The Chief Minister stated that instructions had been passed to arrange a green corridor for transporting the injured to hospitals and to ensure all medical facilities are made available on priority.

Rescue Operation Underway:

Fire and police teams were rushed to the site immediately after receiving the alert. Three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, comprising 90 personnel, have been deployed from Gandhinagar to the crash site.

Three more NDRF teams are being moved from Vadodara. The injured have been shifted to 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 they are ascertaining the details.

President, PM express grief:

President Droupadi Murmu has expressed grief over the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. In a social media post, the President said that it is a heart-rending disaster and her thoughts and prayers are with the affected people. The President added that the nation stands with them in this hour of indescribable grief.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed the flight crash as heartbreaking beyond words. He said, he is in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected. His thoughts are with everyone affected during this tragic hour.

The Prime Minister has spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu regarding the Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad. He took stock of the situation.

The Prime Minister also directed them to ensure that all possible assistance is extended immediately to those affected by the air mishap. Naidu added that all relevant agencies are on high alert and coordinated efforts are underway. He said his ministry is closely monitoring the situation and has directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action.

Control Rooms Opened:

The Ministry of Civil Aviation informed that an operational control room has been activated at the Ministry to coordinate all details, available at contact numbers 011-24610843 and 9650391859. It added that the Ministry is committed to a swift response and full support for all affected.

A dedicated helpline number, +91 99741 11327, has been set up at Ahmedabad airport for passenger queries and assistance. Another passenger hotline, 1800 5691 444, has also been established by Air India to provide more information.

Air India operating two relief flights:

Air India is operating two relief flights, one each from Delhi and Mumbai, to Ahmedabad for the next of kin of passengers and Air India staff. The flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Ahmedabad depart at 11 PM tonight. The flights from Ahmedabad to Delhi will depart tomorrow in the wee hours, at 1:10 AM and from Ahmedabad to Mumbai at 01:15 AM.

In a statement, Air India informed that next of kin of passengers and staff in Delhi and Mumbai wanting to travel on these flights can call the hotline on 1800 5691 444. Additionally, those coming in from international destinations and wanting to travel can call the hotline on +91 8062779200.