An Air India passenger jet bound for London Gatwick has crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad, India. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was carrying 242 passengers and crew, including 53 British nationals.
Authorities confirm the aircraft went down in a residential area, hitting a building housing doctors. Rescue teams are at the scene, but heavy casualties are feared.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his shock, while UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says Britain is working closely with Indian officials. London Mayor Sadiq Khan called the incident “deeply distressing.”
This is India’s first major plane crash in five years. The pilots were highly experienced, with over 8,000 combined flight hours.
More details to follow as the situation develops.