The amount that would be given to the relatives of those killed in the Ahmedabad jet tragedy has been verified by Air India.
At 6:25 p.m. local time this evening, Air India’s AI 171 flight, which was headed for London Gatwick, was scheduled to land in the United Kingdom.
But after taking off from Ahmedabad Airport in India, the aircraft crashed into Meghani Nagar, a residential neighbourhood. Since then, authorities have verified that the plane struck a dorm at a medical institution.
Air India reports that 242 persons were on board the aircraft. The company said: “Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals.”
In an update to The Associated Press, Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner G.S. Malik stated that although it “appears there are no survivors in the plane crash,” police have since confirmed one survivor.
A statement attributed to Air India’s chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, was recently released by the Tata Group, the company’s owner.
The Twitter statement read: “We are deeply anguished by the tragic event involving Air India Flight 171.”
“No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and with those who have been injured.”
It continued: “Tata Group will provide ₹1 crore [$116,000] to the families of each person who has lost their life in this tragedy. We will also cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that they receive all necessary care and support. Additionally, we will provide support in the building up of the B J Medical’s hostel.”
The press release continued: “We remain steadfast in standing with the affected families and communities during this unimaginable time.”
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter to share how ‘the tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us’, adding: “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.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister of the UK, Keir Starmer, commented on the ‘devastating’ incident, saying: “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.”
In recent hours, horrifying video footage of the crash has gone viral online, showing the jet rapidly descending until an explosion is audible and visible.
A huge smoke cloud rose close to the airport as a result of a later fire.
