What we know so far after Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashes

An India air passenger plane for London Gatwick crashed shortly after taking off in Ahmedabad, Western India on Thursday.

More than 240 people were on board the flight when it was involved in what the airline called a “tragic accident”.

The details always emerge from the scene. Here is what we know so far.

The Air India AI171 flight left Ahmedabad Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Ahmedabad Airport at 13:39 Local time (08:09 GMT), said Air India.

He had to land in London Gatwick at 18:25 BST.

The plane crashed from Ahmedabad – where all operations have since been suspended.

According to the Flightradar24 flight tracking website, the plane signal was lost “less than a minute after takeoff”.

The flight tracking data ends with the plane at an altitude of 625 feet (190m).

The plane called on air traffic control over air traffic control, said the aviation regulator of India. No answer was given by the plane after that.

He crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar. Police told the press Ani that she had crashed into an inn of doctors.

A woman on the scene told Ani that her son had jumped from the second floor of the hostel, undergoing injuries, when the plane crashed there.

Verified images taken in the center of Ahmedabad have shown huge plumes of black smoke in the sky.

The BBC Roxy Gagdekar said that people near the stage work to “save as many lives as possible”.

He said the emergency services were involved in a rescue operation and tried to turn off a fire, and described that they had seen bodies from the region.

The Indian Ministry of Foreign Ministry spokesman, Randir Jaiswal, told a press briefing that “we have lost many people.”

Ahmedabad’s police chief GS Malik said that there seemed to be “survivors” there “of the accident and that” some residents “will also be dead given where the plane fell.

There has not yet been an official confirmation on the number of victims.

There were 242 passengers and crew members on board, according to Air India.

Among the passengers were 53 British nationals, 169 Indian nationals, a Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals.

The plane – a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner – had a total of 256 seats on board.

Air India said that the injured were underway in the nearest hospitals.

Officials were invited to carry out “rescue and rescue operations immediately” and to make arrangements on a “warplace,” said the chief minister of Gujarat.

Air India president Natarajan Chandrasekaran said that a “emergency center had been activated” and a support team set up for families looking for information.

The plane involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, and the Air India crash is the first time it has come down like that.

The model was launched 14 years ago. Barely six weeks ago, Boeing praised the fact that he had reached the tank of a billion passengers.

Air India operates a fleet of more than 190 planes, including 58 Boeing planes, according to its website.

In a statement, Boeing said: “We are in contact with Air India concerning the Flight 171 and we are ready to support them. Our reflections are with the passengers, the crew, the first stakeholders and all concerned.”

Air India confirmed on X that the flight was “involved in an accident today after takeoff”.

He declared that he was fully cooperating with the authorities investigating the crash and would provide other updates and has set up a dedicated passenger hotline to provide additional information: 1800 5691 444

The president of the airline, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, said in a statement: “We do everything in our power to help the emergency intervention teams on the site and to provide all the support and care necessary for those affected.”

A spokesperson for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport said that all operations had been suspended until further notice, and they advised passengers to check with their airline before going to the airport.

The Aviation Minister of India said that he had ordered “all aviation and urgency intervention agencies to take rapid and coordinated measures”.

Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjaparu added on X: “The rescue teams have been mobilized, and all the efforts are made to ensure medical help and support for the emergency services which are transported on the site.”

Gatwick airport said that a reception center for passenger parents was being set up, where information would be provided and that it was closely linked with Air India.

He said on X: “British nationals who need consular assistance or who have concerns about friends or family must call 0207 008 5000.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “stunned and saddened” by the accident.

“It’s heartbreaking beyond words,” he said in a Declaration on X, Adding that he had been in contact with officials who help people affected.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that Ahmedabad’s emerging scenes were “devastating”.

“I stayed up to date as the situation is developing, and my thoughts go to passengers and their families at the moment deeply painful,” he said.

Foreign Minister David Lammy said the United Kingdom was working with local authorities in India to “urgently establish the facts” and provide support.

The king said that he and Queen Camilla were “desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning” and extended his sympathy to the people affected.

He declared in a press release: “I would like to pay a particular tribute to the heroic efforts of emergency services and to all those who provide help and support for this most heartbreaking and traumatic period.”