Air India plane with 242 people onboard crashes near airport in India's Gujarat

NEW DELHI -- An Air India flight to London with 242 people on board, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew members, crashed Thursday shortly after takeoff from an airport in the western Indian state of Gujarat, officials said.

The flight took off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, about 17 km south of Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat.

According to Air India, the Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 13:38 local time and was carrying 242 passengers and crew members.

"Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals," the airline said.

Air India has expressed condolences to the families of all those affected by this devastating event.

"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," N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Air India, said in a statement.

Chandrasekaran said further updates will be shared as they receive more verified information.

"An emergency center has been activated and support teams have been set up for families seeking information," he further said.

Local media reports said the plane had reached approximately 825 feet when it suddenly descended. Police said the plane crashed on the building of a doctors' hostel.

There were no reports of any survivors currently, and officials, so far, have not issued any statement on the number of casualties or injured in the crash.

"As per preliminary information, a London-bound Air India flight has crashed at the doctors' hostel. Within 2-3 minutes, police and other agencies reached the spot. Almost 70-80 percent of the area has been cleared. All agencies are working here," a police official told media.

Reports said the passenger aircraft went down in the Meghani area of the city.

According to officials, immediately after the crash, authorities rushed over two dozen ambulances to the spot to carry out rescue work.

Video footage from the site aired on television news channels shows thick columns of smoke rising from the ground.

Police have diverted traffic from the area, and a green corridor has also been established to ferry the injured quickly to the hospital.