At Least One Survives Air India Crash that Killed Over 200

ISTANBUL, June 12 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- At least one passenger survived after a London-bound Air India flight carrying 242 people crashed in western India on Thursday, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported, according to India Today.

Flight AI171 reportedly struck a medical college hostel shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The aircraft was en route to Gatwick Airport in London.

The lone survivor, identified as Viswashkumar Ramesh, was found seated in 11A, local police told the news outlet.

Meanwhile, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik was quoted by multiple media sources as confirming the recovery of 204 bodies from the crash site.

Among the deceased was Vijay Rupani, the former chief minister of Gujarat, the state where the incident occurred.

Officials also confirmed that at least five students were killed and several others injured when the aircraft slammed into the hostel building. Around 50 people sustained injuries in the vicinity of the crash site.

Eyewitnesses reported that while some people were inside the hostel at the time of the incident, most staff quarters were empty as many were out for lunch.

Women and children injured on the ground were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Tata Group, the parent company of Air India, announced it will provide financial assistance of one crore Indian rupees (approximately US$116,863) to the families of each person who lost their life in the crash.

The group will also cover the medical expenses of the injured and support the restoration of the damaged hostel.

According to Air India, those on board included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, one Canadian national, along with two pilots and 10 cabin crew members.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU