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The that crashed shortly after take-off was carrying 53 Britons, according to the company. had 242 people on board, when it went down minutes after taking off from India's western city of on Thursday.

The passenger list indicates there were 217 adults and 11 children on board. These included 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. was en route to London Gatwick, when disaster struck.

In a statement, confirmed details of the crash of flight AI171.

They said the injured were being taken to the nearest hospitals for treatment.

"We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information," they added.

" is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident."

The Foreign Office said it was working closely with Indian authorities to establish the facts.

They wrote in a statement: "We are aware of a in Ahmedabad.

"The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved."

Britons who have concerns may call 0207 008 5000, the Foreign Office added.

has called the accident "devastating" in his first comments since the horrific crash.

"I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time," he said.

A senior police officer in Ahmedabad told the ANI news agency that the London-bound plane crashed into a doctors' hostel.

He says police, firefighters and other civic workers reached the spot within minutes and that rescue operations are still under way.

The aircraft manufacturers Boeing said they were trying to gather more information about the plane's crash.

The crash is a major blow for the company which has been struggling to overcome a range of problems, including fatal crashes, with its 737 programmes.