2 days ago
Air India flight bound for Gatwick crashes with 244 people on board
The Air India flight was departing from Ahmedabad airport with 244 people on board, including 53 British nationals.
A large explosion was seen as the plane crashed in a residential area, with many people feared to have been killed.
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Air India's chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran described the incident as a "tragic accident" and a "devastating event" and said emergency response teams are at the site.
He said: 'With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today.
'Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.
'At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families.
'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.'
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 'The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.'
He added that he is being kept updated on the incident.
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First Minister John Swinney said: "Terrible news emerging from India this morning. Unimaginable pain for all those involved and affected by this incident. I extend my sympathy to all."
Air India said 169 of those on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft are Indian nationals, while 53 are British, one is Canadian and seven are Portugese.
Twelve of those on board were crew members, while the remaining 232 were passengers.
Flight tracking website Flightrader24 said on social media that it received the last signal from the aircraft at 08:08:51 UTC (shortly before 9.09am BST), "just seconds after take off".
