Officials report 242 were on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which issued a mayday before crashing outside the airport perimeter.
A London-bound Air India passenger plane crashed Thursday shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, aviation officials confirmed.
Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick, had 242 people on board, including two pilots and ten cabin crew.
India’s aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he was “shocked and devastated,” adding: “Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site.”
The aircraft issued a mayday call before crashing just beyond the airport perimeter, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said.
Air India chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran confirmed the incident: “With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 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,” he added.
An emergency centre and support team have been activated.