Air India flight 171 was headed for London’s Gatwick airport in the UK, Air India said, while police officers said it crashed outside the airport perimeter.
Gatwick confirmed that an Air India plane that crashed near the western Indian city of Ahmedabad was due to land at the London airport at 18.25 local time.
An airport spokesperson said all flight operations have been temporarily suspended.
“At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates,” Air India said on X.
The crash occurred when the aircraft was taking off, television channels reported.
“With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India flight 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today,” Air India chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said in a statement.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event,” he said, adding that an emergency centre has been activated and a support team set up for families seeking information.
Visuals showed debris on fire, with thick black smoke rising up into the sky near the airport.
They also showed visuals of people being moved in stretchers and being taken away in ambulances.
A total of 242 people were on board the flight, news agency ANI reported, citing Gujarat state’s police control room.
India’s CNN News18 TV channel said there were 220 passengers and 12 crew on the plane. (Reuters)
