London-bound Air India passenger plane with 244 aboard crashes after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India

AHMEDABAD India AP An Air India commuter plane bound for London with people onboard crashed Thursday in India s northwestern city of Ahmedabad the airline and local media revealed Visuals on local television channels exhibited smoke billowing from the crash site near the airport in Ahmedabad a city with a population of more than million Faiz Ahmed Kidwai the director general of the directorate of civil aviation informed The Associated Press that Air India flight AI a Boeing - crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar five minutes after taking off at p m local time There were passengers and crew members onboard the flight which had been bound for London s Gatwick Airport Kidwai stated Gatwick posted on X that it could confirm the flight which had been due to arrive at p m in London had crashed on departure India s Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu posted on X that rescue teams have been mobilized and all efforts are being made to ensure healthcare aid and relief aid at the site We are on highest alert I am personally monitoring the situation he revealed The Dreamliner is a widebody twin-engine plane This is the first crash ever of a Boeing aircraft according to the Aviation Safety Arrangement database The aircraft was introduced in and more than have been delivered to dozens of airlines according to the flightradar website Air India s chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran mentioned at the moment our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families He revealed on X that the airline had set up an crisis center and sponsorship crew for families seeking information about those who were on the flight Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event he announced