Ukrainian President Zelenskyy offers condolences to PM Modi over plane crash in Ahmedabad

Kyiv [Ukraine], June 12 (ANI): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India over the plane crash in Ahmedabad. He said that his thoughts are with the relatives of victims in India, the UK, Portugal and Canada.
The Air India flight AI171, carrying 242 passengers, crashed in the Meghaninagar area near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday. The flight was heading from Ahmedabad to London.
In a statement shared on X, Zelenskyy stated, "Horrible news of a passenger plane crash in India. My deepest condolences to Prime Minister @narendramodi and the entire people of India on this tragic day. Our thoughts are with all victims' relatives and close ones in India, the UK, Portugal, and Canada. We share your shock and grief on this tragic day. We all pray for as many lives to be saved as possible and wish a speedy recovery to those injured."
https://x.com/zelenskyyua/status/1933108060156830045
Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha said that they are aware of the plane crash in Ahmedabad and offered condolences to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
"With great sadness, we in Ukraine learned of the tragic crash of an Air India passenger plane in Ahmedabad. Our condolences to friendly India, @DrSJaishankar. Our hearts go out to all victims' families in India, the UK, Portugal, and Canada. We wish the injured a speedy recovery," Sybiha posted on X.
https://x.com/andrii_sybiha/status/1933115299777147123
According to an Air India statement, the Boeing 787-8 aircraft, operating as Flight AI-171, departed from Ahmedabad at 1:38 pm IST with 242 people on board, including crew.
"The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hours, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals. The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information," the airline said in a statement.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that a team has been rushed to the spot for investigation. "On 12th Jun, 2025, Air India B787 Aircraft VT-ANB, while operating flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, has crashed immediately after takeoff from Ahmedabad. There were 242 people on board the aircraft, consisting of 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew," said a senior DGCA official.
The aircraft was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, an LTC with 8,200 hours of flying experience. He was assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had 1,100 hours of flying experience, the official said.
As per Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Runway 23 at 1339 IST (0809 UTC). It gave a mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC.
"Aircraft immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. Heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site," the official added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu and Home Minister Amit Shah and took stock of the crash incident. The Civil Aviation Minister informed the Prime Minister that he was rushing to Ahmedabad to oversee rescue and relief operations on the ground, the Civil Aviation Ministry said. PM Modi has directed the Minister to ensure all necessary support is extended immediately and asked to be kept regularly updated on the situation, they said. (ANI)