A passenger jet bound for London crashed on Thursday in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, killing or injuring an unspecified number of people, aviation authorities reported. The airline described the incident as a “tragic accident.” The aircraft, Air India flight 171 — a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner — went down shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport en route to London Gatwick, officials confirmed. India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, expressed deep sorrow over the crash, saying he was “shocked and devastated.” An AFP journalist reported seeing thick black smoke billowing over the airport area. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the plane was carrying 242 people, including two pilots and ten cabin crew members. It reportedly issued a mayday call before crashing just beyond the airport’s perimeter. Ahmedabad, a major city in Gujarat state with a population of around eight million, has a bustling airport surrounded by densely populated neighborhoods — increasing concerns over the disaster’s wider impact. The aviation minister has directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to act swiftly and in coordination as rescue and recovery efforts continue. “Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site,” he added. “My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.”