A tragedy has unfolded in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad as a passenger aircraft has crashed, according to news channels. Initial reports suggest there may have been more than 240 people on board.

Source: Reuters, The Times of India, Republic

The Air India flight, en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed shortly after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

The plane went down in the Meghani area, leaving a thick plume of smoke visible from miles away. Emergency services have promptly arrived at the crash site.

Preliminary information indicates that approximately 242 passengers were on board.