The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its deepest condolences to the Government and people of India following the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad on Thursday, which claimed the lives of 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 this period of immense grief and unfortunate loss.”

The ill-fated London-bound passenger aircraft went down in a densely populated residential area of Ahmedabad, killing nearly everyone on board and several people on the ground. Authorities confirmed that only one passenger survived the crash.

Ebienfa noted that while preliminary reports suggest no Nigerian nationals were aboard the flight, the Nigerian High Commission in New Delhi is maintaining close contact with Indian authorities to verify the passenger manifest and offer consular support if needed.

“In this moment of shared sorrow, 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 statement added.

The Indian government has launched a full-scale investigation into the cause of the disaster, as recovery and identification efforts continue at the crash site.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves across India and the international community, drawing condolences and expressions of support from leaders around the world.