242 confirmed dead in Ahmedabad plane crash: Indian media

Ahmedabad: All 242 passengers and crew members have lost their lives in the Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad airport, Indian media reports confirmed.

The tragic incident occurred shortly after the flight took off for London at 1:17 PM.

The aircraft was carrying 232 passengers and 10 crew members on board. Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian.

Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the crash site in Dharpur, located near the Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad.

Emergency response teams, including the fire brigade and medical units, rushed to the spot soon after the incident was reported.

Rescue operations are ongoing, and several injured passengers have been shifted to nearby hospitals. The exact cause of the crash has not yet been confirmed, and an investigation is underway.

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Earlier, Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner G.S. Malik said that there appear to be no survivors in the Air India flight crash that occurred earlier today near Meghaninagar, close to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

“It appears there are no survivors in the plane crash,” Malik was quoted as saying, according to a report published by The New Indian Express, citing Associated Press.

Malik further stated that since the aircraft crashed in a densely populated residential area that also houses several office buildings, it is likely that some local residents may have also lost their lives in the tragedy. “Exact figures on casualties are being ascertained,” he added.