An Air India flight bound for London Gatwick has crashed in Ahmedabad just minutes after take off with 242 people on board.

Indian police chiefs say it appears there are no survivors after flight 171 plummeted to the ground in the densely populated Meghani area where it struck a doctors’ hostel minutes after it departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

If you’re just joining us, we have been reporting live updates from the Air India plane crash as flight 171 plummeted to the ground shortly after it departed Ahmedabad on its way to London Gatwick.

Air India has confirmed 242 people were on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft including 53 British nationals.

Police have said they do not expect there to be any survivors, with more deaths expected on the ground after the jet crashed into a hostel housing medical staff.

The crash is one of the worst aviation disasters in India’s history and emergency services are still at the scene.

Here’s what you need to know.

Air India flight 171 crashed into a medical college in Meghani shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1.17pm local time.
The airline has confirmed the plane was carrying 230 passengers, two pilots and 10 crew members and added 53 of those on board are British nationals.

Video appears to show the plane struggling to achieve lift before crashing to the ground with the pilot reportedly issuing a Mayday call shortly after taking off
According to preliminary information, the plane reached approximately 825 feet when it suddenly descended
A police chief in Ahmedabad said it appears there are no survivors in the crash
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the tragedy is ‘heartbreaking beyond words’ while Sir Keir Starmer and King Charles are receiving regular updates