A Manipuri and Mizo Crew Likely Among 242 Passengers in AI-171 Crash

Ukhrul, June 12: An Air India flight AI-171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, met with an accident and crashed shortly after take-off earlier Thursday from Ahmedabad. It is feared that a Manipuri and a Mizo were onboard as cabin crew.

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The Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 13:38 hours, carrying 242 passengers and crew members, as per official sources.

Of the total onboard, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national, Air India

The nature of the accident has not yet been disclosed, but authorities confirmed that injured passengers are currently being treated at the nearest hospitals.

A dedicated passenger information hotline has been set up by Air India at 1800 5691 444 to assist concerned family members and provide further updates.

Also read Two Manipur Crew Members Confirmed Dead in AI-171 Crash

According to an unverified Gentec Crew List onboard the Boeing 787-8, Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma from Manipur and Singson Lamnunthem who is believed to be from Mizoram, both from Northeast India, were reportedly onboard the ill-fated AI-171 flight. However, local media reports that Singson is a native of Kangpokpi and that she had taken sick leave and did not board the flight.

More official details are awaited.

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The President of India, Droupadi Murmu has mourned the catastrophic crash of AI-171. “I am deeply distressed to learn about the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. It is a heart-rending disaster. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected people. The nation stands with them in this hour of indescribable grief,” wrote the President’s official Twitter account of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to X saying, “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.”

Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla also expressed deep sorrow over the tragic and shocking incident of an aircraft crash. “The Hon’ble Governor of Manipur has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic and shocking incident of an aircraft crash that occurred during a flight from Ahmedabad to London. He has prayed to the Almighty for the speedy recovery of all those injured in this unfortunate mishap. that occurred during a flight from Ahmedabad to London. He has prayed to the Almighty for the speedy recovery of all those injured in this unfortunate mishap,” wrote Raj Bhavan Manipur.

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Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer also wrote, “The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating…”