More than 200 bodies recovered in plane crash with some 'beyond recognition'
The Air India Flight 171 bound for Gatwick Airport was carrying hundreds of people when it hit the ground near Ahmedabad Airport in India
At least 204 bodies have been recovered from the Air India Flight 171 crash site near Ahmedabad Airport, according to the local police chief.
This number may include both people who were on board the plane and those who died on the ground when it crashed.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft was carrying 230 passengers, including 53 Brits, 169 Indians, seven Portuguese, one Canadian, and 12 crew members, when the aircraft crashed in India's northwestern city of Ahmedabad. It is believed that 11 children were also onboard.
The aircraft plummeted towards the ground shortly after take-off around 9.40am this morning (1.40pm local time).
More than 100 bodies were taken to hospitals in the Gujarat area, local health officials confirmed. According to Sky News, some bodies were "beyond recognition" when they were rushed to hospitals across the city.
Ahmedabad's city police commissioner said there doesn't appear to have been any survivors from the plane crash - and that casualties from the area of the city where it went down are also likely.
Meanwhile, five medical students have died and more left injured after the Air India plane crashed into a doctors' hostel this morning, local reports say.
The aircraft smashed through the walls of the canteen at BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad, Gujarat while students were said to be having their lunch break. Horrific video showed a portion of the aircraft atop the building.
"The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement.
Gatwick Airport has said that a special reception centre is being set up for relatives of passengers on board the Air India flight.
In a post on social media airport bosses said: "We can confirm flight AI171 that was involved in an accident on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today (12 June) was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25 BST.
'The Boeing 787-8 aircraft had 242 passengers and crew members on board. London Gatwick is liaising closely with Air India and a reception centre for relatives of those on board is being set up where information and support will be provided.
"British nationals who require consular assistance or have concerns about friends or family should call 020 7008 5000."
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is 'working urgently' with local authorities to support British nationals and their families, and that a crisis team has been set up in Delhi and London.
Addressing the House of Commons, Lammy said his thoughts were with all those affected by the 'tragic plane crash.'
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a social media post, said the tragedy in Ahmedabad is 'heartbreaking beyond words.'
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