The Air India AI171 aircraft was flying from Ahmadabad to London. The machine crashed shortly after take-off.

According to Indian police, the plane went down outside the airport area, in a densely built-up area near a hospital. The machine hit a hostel for doctors.

The carrier said 169 Indian nationals, 53 from the UK, seven from Portugal and one Canadian national were travelling on the plane. There were also 10 cabin crew and two pilots on board.

Emergency services rated the chances of anyone surviving the plane crash very low. The victims of the tragedy also include many people who were in the building on which the plane fell.

Ahmadabad airport has suspended operations. Rescue operations are ongoing at the scene of the tragedy.