The Air India flight crashed in a “civilian area” near Ahmedabad Airport, according to police.
Video circulating on social media shows massive plumes of thick black smoke rising into the sky near the airport in the north-western city in Gujarat state.
The footage shows debris at the scene on fire and people being moved in stretchers and taken away in ambulances.
Air India said in a post on X flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick was “involved in an incident today”.
“At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest,” it said.
In a statement, London Gatwick confirmed the crash, saying the flight was due to land at 6.25pm local time on Thursday.
Flightradar says a signal was last received from the aircraft less than a minute after take-off.
India’s civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he was “shocked and devastated” to learn about the crash.
“We are on highest alert,” he said. “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.”
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