By Abiola Olawale
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Keir Starmer, among other global leaders, have mourned the death of over 226 individuals after an Air India 787 Dreamliner, Flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, crashed on Thursday.
The catastrophic incident, one of the deadliest in India’s aviation history, has left many families and friends reeling from the loss.
The ill-fated flight, carrying 242 passengers—including 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian—plunged into the densely populated Meghani area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, shortly after departing from the airport in India.
Reacting, Modi, wailing from Gujarat, expressed profound sorrow, calling the crash “heartbreaking beyond words.”
He said: “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words.
“In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it.
“Have been in touch with ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.”
Similarly, the United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a heartfelt message, said his thoughts are with the passengers and families of those on the Air India flight, which was bound for London Gatwick and crashed in Ahmedabad.
He stated: “The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.
“I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are withy the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.”
Also, Boeing President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kelly Ortberg in a statement about the crash, said his thoughts are with the victims.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad,” he said.
Ortberg also added that he spoke with Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran “to offer our full support” and reiterated that Boeing will support an investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, crashed on Thursday.
The catastrophic incident, one of the deadliest in India’s aviation history, has left many families and friends reeling from the loss.
The ill-fated flight, carrying 242 passengers—including 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian—plummeted into the densely populated Meghani area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, shortly after departing from the airport in India.
Reacting, Modi, hailing from Gujarat, expressed profound sorrow, calling the crash “heartbreaking beyond words.”
He said: “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words.
“In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it.
“Have been in touch with ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.”
Similarly, the United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a heartfelt message, said his thoughts are with the passengers and families of those on the Air India flight, which was bound for London Gatwick and crashed in Ahmedabad.
He stated: “The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.
“I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.”
Also, Boeing President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kelly Ortberg in a statement about the crash, said his thoughts are with the victims.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad,” he said.
Ortberg also added that he spoke with Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran “to offer our full support” and reiterated that Boeing will support an investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
