A London-bound Air India plane, carrying 242 people, has tragically crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, western India.

Flight AI171 was en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick when the incident occurred. Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, one Canadian national, and seven Portuguese nationals, as reported by Air India.

Tracking website Flightradar24 indicated that the last signal from the aircraft was received at 625 feet (190 meters), just seconds after takeoff. Graphic videos from the scene depict thick black smoke billowing over a residential area, with local police confirming that the plane crashed into an accommodation building used by doctors.

According to our reporter in Ahmedabad, the situation at the crash site is harrowing, with rescue workers continuing efforts to extinguish the flames.

This incident marks a significant first for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner; it is the first reported crash of this aircraft model since its introduction 14 years ago. Just weeks prior, Boeing celebrated the milestone of the 787 fleet carrying over 1 billion passengers, highlighting its extensive operational record of nearly 5 million flights covering more than 30 million flight hours.

The crash poses another considerable challenge for Air India as it battles multiple issues, including previous fatal crashes associated with its 737 programmes. This incident will also test the leadership of CEO Kelly Ortberg, who recently marked his first anniversary in the position, brought in to address the pressing challenges facing the US planemaker’s future.