Donald Trump breaks silence after tragic Air India flight with 242 on board crashed shortly after takeoff
Joe Yates
Featured Image Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images / Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images
President Donald Trump has spoken out on the Air India plane crash which crashed after take-off today (June 12).
Air India's AI 171 flight, with 242 passengers, was bound for London Gatwick and was expected to touch down in the UK at 6.25pm local time this evening (June 12).
However, the plane crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar after taking off from India's Ahmedabad Airport. Authorities have since confirmed that the aircraft crashed into a medical college hostel.
The airline said: "Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals."
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While the police commissioner initially suggested at the time that there were no survivors, officials have since confirmed that one man, who has since been identified as British national, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, had survived the crash.
According to the BBC, around 204 bodies have since been recovered from the wreck site so far, police have said, however, it is unknown if they are all from the plane.
Now, the POTUS has touched on the horrific tragedy while speaking from the White House as he offered the nation's assistance to the Indian authorities.
"Nobody had any idea what happened," the 78-year-old Republican said. "It looks like it was flying just fine."
He went on to state that he believed the tragedy is 'one of the most worst crashes in aviation history'.
As well as Trump, various statements have been issued in wake of the tragedy, including the likes of Boeing, Gatwick and Air India's chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran.
Chandrasekaran said in a statement to Twitter: "With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India flight, AI171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.
"At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted.
"Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. An emergency centre has been activated and support team have been set up for families."
Another statement from Tata Group, which owns Air India, was issued and credited to Chandrasekaran, where it said they would be providing the families of those on board $116,000, as well as covering the medical expenses of those who were injured.
Meanwhile, Boeing's President and CEO, Kelly Ortberg, offered their 'deepest condolences' to the 'the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad'.
They also confirmed that they will be deferring to India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to provide information about the flight, according to The Independent.