BREAKING
A passenger plane with at least 242 people on board has crashed in India.
In a statement Air India said “The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft.
“Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals.
“The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals.”
Police say that the plane crashed in a “civilian area” just outside of Ahmedabad’s airport perimeter.
Flightradar shows that the plane’s final signal was received just moments after the aircraft took off. The flight tracking site shows the aircraft reached a height of 625 feet before crashing.
Gatwick Airport have released a statement confirming that the plane was due to land there tonight.
“We can confirm that flight AI171 that crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25,” they wrote.
India’s aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu has said that he is “shocked and devastated” by the crash.
“I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action,” he said.
“Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.”
