Air India owners, the Tata Group, have pledged to give the families of each plane crash victim a sum of money. Just after taking off in Ahmedabad on Thursday, flight 171 exploded in a fire ball after crashing to the ground. Local authorities said the 242 people onboard, including 53 British nationals, were en route to Gatwick airport – 11 children were reportedly onboard.
Tata Group is now offering 1 crore rupees, which is the equivalent of around £86,000, to the families of each person who was killed in the crash. Air India’s parent company will also cover the medical expenses of those injured by the crash. In a statement, the airline owner wrote: “We are deeply anguished by the tragic event involving Air India Flight 171. No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and with those who have been injured.
“Tata Group will provide ₹1 crore (£86,000) to the families of each person who has lost their life in this tragedy. We will also cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that they receive all necessary care and support. Additionally, we will provide support in the building up of the B J Medical’s hostel.
“We remain steadfast in standing with the affected families and communities during this unimaginable time.
The number of people killed in the crash has risen to more than 290, Reuters news agency reports, citing a police officer. However, a British man survived, and was filmed walking away from the horrific scene just moments after the Boeing aircraft plummeted to the ground.
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, was on the plane seated in 11A, the Hindustan Times reports, and is now in hospital receiving treatment following the crash.
Moments before the Air India Boeing flight crashed in Ahmedabad, a chilling mayday call from pilots was received, revealing that the aircraft may have been suffering engine failure.
Vishwash gave further insight into what happened: “Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.”
He has reportedly suffered “impact injuries” on his chest, eyes and feet. “When I got up, there were bodies all around me,” he added.
“I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.”