An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft carrying 242 passengers and crew members crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport. Videos showed the London-bound plane bursting into flames after it crashed into a residential neighbourhood.

Media reports, quoting police sources, fatalities are expected to be high.

Flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese citizens.

According to reports, the pilot had issued a Mayday call before the aircraft crashed into a hostel within a medical college hospital campus. The extent of injuries to those present in the hostel remains unclear.

“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,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X.

Many world leaders, including the UK and China, have sent condolence messages.

This is the first-ever crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Shares of Boeing were down 8% in pre-market trading.

“We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders, and all affected,” Boeing, posted on X.

US’ Federal Aviation Administration, which has a track record in investigating plane crashes, has offered to help with the reasons behind the accident.

“When an international incident occurs, that government leads the investigation. In the event assistance is requested, the NTSB is the official U.S. representative and the FAA provides technical support. We stand ready to launch a team immediately in coordination with the NTSB,” FAA said.

The Tata Group had acquired Air India back in 2022, regaining control of the airline they originally founded before it was nationalised.