President Emmerson Mnangagwa has extended his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of India after a devastating plane crash claimed the lives of more than 200 individuals on Thursday. The tragic incident occurred in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, shortly after take-off.
The ill-fated aircraft, an Air India international flight bound for London, was carrying a total of 242 people on board, including passengers and crew members. It crashed just minutes after departing from Ahmedabad International Airport, sparking a large-scale emergency response effort involving police, firefighters, and medical personnel.
In response to the tragedy, President Mnangagwa took to his official social media account on X (formerly Twitter) to express Zimbabwe’s solidarity with India during this period of national mourning. In a solemn statement, the President offered his sympathies to the victims’ families and those who were injured in the crash.
“I extend my deepest sympathies to the government and people of the Republic of India following the tragic plane crash of Flight 171,” President Mnangagwa wrote. “Zimbabwe stands in solidarity with the Indian nation during this time of mourning. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families, and we wish a swift and full recovery to the injured.”
The President’s message comes as international condolences continue to pour in from around the world. World leaders, humanitarian organizations, and aviation authorities have all expressed their sorrow over the crash, which is being described as one of India’s worst aviation disasters in recent years.
President Mnangagwa Sends Condolences to India Following Tragic Plane Crash That Claims Over 200 Lives
According to Indian authorities, 204 bodies have so far been recovered from the crash site, although it remains unclear how many of the deceased were passengers aboard the aircraft and how many may have been on the ground when the crash occurred. Rescue efforts are still underway, and officials have cautioned that the death toll could rise further as investigations continue.
Among the passengers on board the flight were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals. The crew consisted of two pilots and 10 cabin crew members. In a rare glimmer of hope, Indian police confirmed that one person survived the crash—a British national whose name has not yet been released to the public.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and destruction, with wreckage scattered across a wide area and fires breaking out in the aftermath of the crash. Emergency responders battled through thick smoke and debris to search for survivors, and local hospitals have been placed on high alert to receive the injured.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash, with early reports suggesting that a technical fault may have contributed to the aircraft’s failure shortly after take-off. The black box flight recorder has been recovered and is expected to provide crucial data in determining the events that led up to the crash.
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a full-scale investigation, working in collaboration with international aviation safety experts. Officials have pledged transparency in the process and have assured the public that all findings will be made available in due course.
Back in Zimbabwe, President Mnangagwa’s message of condolence has been met with widespread support and echoed by other leaders, diplomats, and citizens. Many Zimbabweans took to social media to express their own sympathies, reflecting on the shared human grief that transcends borders.
“We are united in sorrow with the people of India,” one user wrote. “This tragedy affects us all, and we send love and strength to every family who lost someone today.”
The Indian Embassy in Harare acknowledged President Mnangagwa’s message and expressed gratitude for Zimbabwe’s solidarity during a profoundly difficult time. A spokesperson for the embassy said, “We deeply appreciate the kind words and compassion shown by President Mnangagwa and the people of Zimbabwe. In times like these, international friendship and unity mean everything.”
As the Indian government continues recovery operations and begins the long process of supporting grieving families, the world watches with heavy hearts. The crash of Flight 171 will be remembered not only for the lives lost but also for the global outpouring of empathy and solidarity it has inspired.
