Indian PM calls plane crash incident tragedy, heartbreaking beyond words

NEW DELHI -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Thursday's Air India plane crash incident with 242 people, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew members, on board in the western state of Gujarat as a tragedy and heartbreaking beyond words.

The Air India flight to London had 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian on board when it crashed shortly after takeoff from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, about 17 km south of Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat.

"The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected," Modi wrote on social media.

Local media reports said that there are no survivors from the ill-fated plane, while officials, so far, have not issued any statement on the number of casualties in the crash.

A video of the aircraft flying low and struggling to gain altitude shows the plane going down and exploding in a massive ball of fire.

Other videos from the site show thick columns of black smoke rising from the ground.

According to police, the plane crashed directly on the B J Medical College undergraduate hostel mess in Meghani Nagar. The crash caused severe damage to buildings on the premises and several people were reported to be injured.

A part of the crashed plane landed atop a student hostel, eyewitnesses said.

Immediately after the crash, authorities rushed fire engines and over two dozen ambulances to the spot to carry out rescue work.

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

Air India has expressed condolences to the families of all those affected by this devastating event. The airline has changed its logo on social media handles to black after the deadly plane crash.

The British government has issued a travel advisory, saying they were aware of the plane crash in Ahmedabad.

"We are aware of a plane crash in Ahmedabad. The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved," reads the advisory.

Reports said former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani was onboard the crashed flight. Web check-in documents obtained by local media said Rupani had completed his check-in in business class on the ill-fated flight.