Deadly plane crash in India— at least 242 people were on board

Deadly plane crash in India— at least 242 people were on board the tragic flight, bound for London's Gatwick International Airport

Air India Flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel international airport after signal was lost

At least 244 people, including 53 Brits, were on board an Air India flight bound for Gatwick Airport before it crashed, according to authorities. Air India Flight AI171 smashed into the ground shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport after signal was lost

Air India has confirmed that passengers on its flight AI171 included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. There were also 12 crew members onboard. The numbers of casualties have not yet been confirmed.

The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner set off at 9.50am local time and was due to land at 18.25 at Gatwick Airport. According to Flight Radar, the plane had reached 625ft then started to descend with a vertical speed of -475 feet per minute, before crashing in a residential area.

Harrowing footage captured the moment the aircraft descends before hitting the ground in a fireball.