Death toll in Indian plane crash rises to 133
New Delhi: The death toll from the Air India passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad has climbed to 133, according to Indian media reports.
The aircraft, which was carrying over 240 people, including crew members and foreign nationals, crashed shortly after takeoff. Rescue operations are still underway, and authorities fear the number of casualties may rise further.
According to local media reports, the plane, carrying more than 240 people, including 12 crew members, reportedly went down shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Among the passengers was former Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani.
Initial reports suggest the aircraft was en route from Ahmedabad to London when it crashed just seconds after becoming airborne.
According to Indian media, the crash occurred between 1:00 and 2:00 PM (local time). Following the incident, flight operations at Ahmedabad Airport were suspended, and a state of emergency was declared at nearby hospitals.
According to Indian media, the ill-fated aircraft was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals, including 11 children.
Air India Flight AI-171 had reached an altitude of only 625 feet at a speed of 322 km/h after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport when it reportedly encountered a technical failure and crashed shortly thereafter.
