There were 232 passengers and 12 crew members onboard the flight, which had been bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, Kidwai said.

Air India confirmed on Thursday that its Flight 171 from the western city of Ahmedabad to London Gatwick had crashed in a “tragic accident”.

“With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today,” Air India chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said in a statement.

At least 220 passengers were on board the aircraft, a local airport official told AFP.

“There were more than 200 passengers on board the aircraft,” an official at the Ahmedabad airport told AFP. Flight AI171 is listed as a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which can hold more than 200 passengers.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event,” he said, adding that an emergency centre has been activated and a support team set up for families seeking information.