The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the Republic of India following the fatal crash of Air India Flight 171, which went down in a residential area of Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12, killing at least 265 people.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said Nigeria stands in solidarity with India during what he described as a period of “immense grief and unfortunate loss.”
“Nigeria stands in solidarity with India during this period of immense grief and unfortunate loss,” the statement read. “While initial reports indicate that no Nigerian citizen was aboard the flight, the Nigeria High Commission in New Delhi remains in close contact with Indian authorities to verify this information and provide consular assistance where necessary.”
Air India Flight 171, a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed shortly after takeoff, slamming into a residential block housing medical personnel near the airport. Authorities have confirmed that at least 265 people were killed, including residents on the ground. One passenger is reported to have survived.
Photographs from the crash site show rescue teams retrieving bodies from the smouldering wreckage, with parts of the aircraft seen lodged in upper floors of the damaged building.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “heartbreaking beyond words,” as Indian authorities launched a formal investigation into the cause of the disaster.
In its statement, Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to global aviation safety and lent its support to India’s efforts to investigate the tragedy thoroughly.
“Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to global aviation safety and supports the call for a thorough investigation into the crash with a view to preventing such tragedies in the future,” the Ministry stated.
Rescue efforts continued through the night into Friday, with emergency workers and sniffer dogs searching the debris for more victims.
