A PASSENGER plane with 53 Brits on board has crashed into a doctor’s hostel in India.
At least 242 people were on board the Air India aircraft as it smashed into the ground and exploded upon impact near to an airport in Ahmedabad.
XHarrowing footage captured the Air India aircraft smashing into a residential area near as a huge fireball explosion erupted[/caption]
XThe plane was seen disappearing behind buildings before the huge blast[/caption]
XA plane has crash landed in India with plumes of black smoke seen billowing through the sky[/caption]
XEmergency officials rushed to the site of the crash[/caption]
The plane was headed to London Gatwick, Air India confirmed.
There were 230 passengers and 12 crew on board, the director general of the Directorate of Civil Aviation announced.
Also on board was 169 Indian travellers, one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals.
According to flight tracking website Flightradar, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner’s final signal was received just seconds after take-off.
This was last logged at 10.08am local time – less than a minute after it started its journey.
It had only reached 625 feet at the time, officials believe.
In a statement the airline said: “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick was involved in an accident on 12 June 2025.
“At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest opportunity.”
Police said the plane crashed into a “civilian area” in Meghaninagar.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in a statement: “The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.”
Officials are yet to comment on if there are any casualties.
The aircraft was attempting to take off from Ahmedabad Airport when it crashed, local TV channels reported.
A fireball explosion is said to have erupted near to the airport as footage shows thick plumes of black smoke quickly pouring into the skies.
The Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services Department quickly deployed over five fire-fighting teams to the site as well as dozens of ambulances.
Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, the Civil Aviation Minister, said in a statement: “Shocked and devastated to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad.
“We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action.
“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.”
It is still unclear what caused the disaster.
Read our live blog on the Air India plane crash…
Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
