Pretoria — South Africa has expressed its heartfelt condolences to the government and people of India following the crash of a London-bound passenger plane.
Air India’s flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday.
India’s civil aviation authority said there were 242 people aboard, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew.
JUST IN: An Air India Boeing 787-8 crashes shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India.
The plane was carrying 230 passengers with 12 crew members (242 souls on board).
The plane was bound for London and issued a Mayday call… pic.twitter.com/A7vOIBhJ06
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) June 12, 2025
Air India said there were 169 Indian passengers, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and a Canadian.
The aircraft, which was en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed in a residential area soon after departure.
“The thoughts of the people of South Africa are with the people of India as well as the people of all other countries affected by the crash during this difficult time,” a statement issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation read.
12 June 2025
Media Statement
South Africa extends condolences to India following the crash of Air India Flight 171
More 🔗 https://t.co/ZPNjBE0g1z
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) June 12, 2025
“We extend our sympathy to those families who have lost loved ones.”
Ahmedabad, the main city of India’s Gujarat state, is home of around eight million people, and the busy airport is surrounded by densely packed residential areas.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
