No Australians believed dead in Air India plane crash

Australian and Indian flags (file image)
Diplomatic staff are liaising with Indian authorities about the nationality of the crash victims. -AAP Image

No Australian citizens or residents are believed to have been in a plane crash that killed more than 240 people in India's west.

The aviation disaster in the city of Ahmedabad was the worst the world has seen in a decade.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia's thoughts were with all those affected by the crash.

"I know I speak for all Australians when I say this is heartbreaking," she told reporters on Friday.

"I had a message exchange with (External Affairs Minister) Dr Jaishankar, expressing the condolences of Australians to him.

"We also think of our good friends in the United Kingdom and in many other countries. It is a devastating and distressing day for these two countries and many others."

More than 200 bodies have been recovered from the crash site, but authorities say some of those may be people killed on the ground.

The aircraft passengers included 217 adults, 11 children and two infants, a source told Reuters. 

Of those, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, according to Air India's latest advice.

Senator Wong said she had not been advised that any Australians were on board but diplomatic staff were closely engaging with Indian authorities. 

"We've not had any anyone reach out for consular assistance. Obviously, we stand ready to provide support to Australians as required," she said.

The Australian High Commission in New Delhi and the Consulate-General in Mumbai were following up with local authorities to determine whether there were any Australians on board, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the disaster was devastating.

"In this time of tragedy, Australia's thoughts are with everyone affected," he posted on the social media platform X.

The Air India plane was heading to London's Gatwick Airport when it crashed just minutes after take-off.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner came down in a residential area, crashing onto a medical college hostel outside the airport during lunch hour. 

Only one passenger survived the crash, Air India confirmed.

Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed," 40-year-old survivor Ramesh Viswashkumar told the Hindustan Times from his hospital bed.

"It all happened so quickly. When I got up, there were bodies all around me. 

"I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me."

with Reuters