An Air India flight bound for London Gatwick has crashed in Ahmedabad just minutes after take off with 242 people on board.
Horrific images show huge plumes of smoke and flames after Air India flight 171 plummeted to the ground in the densely populated Meghani area of the city moments after it departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1.17pm local time.
The crash has sparked a major rescue operation with multiple fire engines and ambulances racing to the scene. Air India has confirmed 53 British nationals were on board the plane.
Fifty-three British nationals were on board an Air India flight bound for Gatwick airport which crashed after take-off in Ahmedabad, Air India said.
The flight manifest included 169 Indians, 53 Britons, one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals, according to officials.
The flight was due to land at London Gatwick at 18.25 tonight, the airport confirmed in a statement. Reuters News Report
