ReutersAn Air India passenger plane bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after taking off in Ahmedabad on Thursday, leaving at least 204 people dead.
The flight was carrying 242 passengers and crew when it was involved in what the airline has called a “tragic accident” in the city in western India.
Ahmedabad’s police chief told the BBC that 204 bodies had been recovered, while 41 people were being treated for injuries.
He earlier told news agencies there appeared to be no survivors from the crash, and that some local people would also have died given where the plane came down.
Details are still emerging from the scene. Here is what we know so far.
When and where did the plane crash?
Air India flight AI171 left Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT), Air India said.
It was scheduled to land at London Gatwick at 18:25 BST.
The plane crashed on departure from Ahmedabad – where all operations have since been suspended.
Central Industrial Security Force/IndiaAccording to flight tracking website FlightRadar24, the signal from the aircraft was lost “less than a minute after take-off”.
Flight tracking data ends with the plane at an altitude of 625ft (190m).
The plane gave a mayday call to air traffic control, India’s aviation regulator said. No response was given by the aircraft after that.
It crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar. Police told ANI news agency that it had crashed into a doctors’ hostel.
One woman at the scene told ANI that her son jumped from the second floor of the hostel, sustaining injuries, when the plane crashed there.
Verified footage taken in central Ahmedabad showed huge plumes of black smoke in the sky.
The BBC’s Roxy Gagdekar said people near the scene were running to “save as many lives as possible”.
He said emergency services were involved in a rescue operation and trying to extinguish a fire, and described seeing bodies being taken from the area.
Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told a press briefing that “we have lost a lot of people”.
Ahmedabad’s police chief GS Malik told the BBC 204 people had died and 41 were injured.
It is not known if those 204 were all on the plane, or were on the ground when the plane crashed.
He earlier said there appeared to be “no survivors” from the crash and “some locals” will also have died given where the plane came down.
Who was on board?
There were 242 passengers and crew members on board, according to Air India.
Among the passengers were 53 British nationals, 169 Indian nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals.
The aircraft – a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner – had a total of 256 seats on board.
Air India said the injured were being taken to the nearest hospitals.
Officials have been instructed to carry out “immediate rescue and relief operations” and to make arrangements on a “war footing,” the chief minister of Gujarat said.
Air India’s chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said an “emergency centre has been activated” and a support team put in place for families seeking information.
What do we know about the plane?
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, and the Air India crash is the first time it has come down like this.
The model was launched 14 years ago. Just six weeks ago, Boeing lauded the fact that it had reached the milestone of carrying one billion passengers.
Air India operates a fleet of more than 190 planes including 58 Boeing aircraft, according to its website.
In a statement, Boeing said: “We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected.”
What have the airline and authorities said?
Air India confirmed on X that the flight was “involved in an accident today after take-off”.
It said it was fully co-operating with authorities investigating the crash and would provide further updates and has set up a dedicated passenger hotline to provide further information: 1800 5691 444
The airline’s chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, said in a statement: “We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted.”
A spokesperson for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport said all operations had been suspended until further notice, and they advised passengers to check with their airline before travelling to the airport.
APIndia’s aviation minister said he had directed “all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action”.
Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjaparu added on X: “Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site.”
Gatwick Airport said a reception centre for relatives of passengers was being set up, where information would be provided, and that it was liaising closely with Air India.
It said on X: “British nationals who require consular assistance or have concerns about friends or family should call 0207 008 5000.”
How have India and the UK reacted?
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “stunned and saddened” by the crash.
“It is heartbreaking beyond words,” he said in a statement on X, adding he had been in touch with officials assisting those affected.
UK Prime Minster Sir Keir Starmer said the scenes emerging from Ahmedabad were “devastating”.
“I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time,” he said.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK was working with local authorities in India to “urgently establish the facts” and provide support.
The King said he and Queen Camilla were “desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning” and extended his sympathy to those affected.
He said in a statement: “I would like to pay a particular tribute to the heroic efforts of the emergency services and all those providing help and support at this most heartbreaking and traumatic time.”
