An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with 242 people on board crashed near the airport in India's western city of Ahmedabad minutes after taking off, the airline and police officials said on Thursday.

"There appears to be no survivor in the crash," Ahmedabad police commissioner GS Malik said.

"And since the airplane has fallen on an area which was residential and had some offices, there are more casualties as well". Malik said without giving further details of those killed on the ground. Police had said the plane crashed into a building used as a hostel for doctors.

Air India flight 171 was headed for London's Gatwick airport in the UK, Air India said, with officers saying it crashed outside the airport perimeter.

Gatwick confirmed that an Air India plane that crashed near the western Indian city of Ahmedabad was due to land at the London airport at 18.25 local time.

"The flight... was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft", Air India said in a statement.

Of the 230 passengers, "169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals", it said.

An airport spokesperson said all flight operations have been temporarily suspended.

"At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates," Air India said on X.

The crash occurred when the aircraft was taking off, television channels reported.

One channel showed the plane taking off over a residential area and then disappearing from the screen before a huge cloud of fire rising into the sky from beyond the houses.

According to air traffic control at Ahmedabad airport, the aircraft departed at 1.39 pm, 4.09 pm Hong Kong time, from runway 23.

It gave a "Mayday" call, signalling an emergency, but there was no response from the aircraft afterward.

"With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India flight 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today," Air India chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said in a statement.

"Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event," he said, adding that an emergency centre has been activated and a support team set up for families seeking information.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was shocked by the crash and offered his support to those affected.

"The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words," Modi said in a message posted on X.

Visuals showed debris on fire, with thick black smoke rising up into the sky near the airport.

They also showed visuals of people being moved in stretchers and being taken away in ambulances. (Reuters/AFP)
_____________________________
Last updated: 2025-06-12 HKT 20:40