Flight to London carrying 242 people crashes at Ahmedabad airport (photos/videos)

A plane carrying 242 people has crashed at India’s Ahmedabad Airport, according to local media. 

The plane, heading to Gatwick, London, crashed when the aircraft was taking off from Ahmedabad airport in India, Reuters cites local TV channels as reporting. 

Video circulating on social media shows massive plumes of smoke rising into the sky near the airport in the western city. 
 

People were shown being carried on stretchers and taken away in ambulances. 

According to police, the Air India plane crashed in a “civilian area” outside an airport. 

The plane crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the director general of the Directorate of Civil Aviation, has told the Associated Press. 
 

The crash took place five minutes after taking off at 1:38pm local time, he said. There were 232 passengers and 12 crew members onboard, Kidwai added. 

In a statement, Air India said a flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick was “involved in an incident today”. 

The plane was flight AI171, it says. 
 

“At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest.” 

The plane fell after departure on to the ground outside Ahmedabad’s airport perimeter, the Indian aviation regulator says. 
 

The country’s aviation minister says they are on the highest alert and rescue teams have been mobilised. 

Gatwick Airport also confirmed that the plane was due to land tonight. 

“We can confirm that flight AI171 that crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25,” the airport said in a statement. 

“More information to follow.” 
 

India’s civil aviation minister says he is “shocked and devastated” by the plane crash.  

“I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action,” says Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu. 

“Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site. 

“My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.” 

This is the first crash ever of a Boeing 787 aircraft, according to the Aviation Safety Network database.  

The 787 Dreamliner is a widebody, twin-engined plane.  

The model has carried out more than five million journeys in the 14 years since its first passenger flight.
 

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