An Air India flight with 230 passengers and 12 crew on board crashed in India's northwestern city of Ahmedabad on Thursday shortly after takeoff, killing all but one of the people aboard.

The aircraft, a wide-bodied Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner powered by twin jet engines, was bound for London's Gatwick Airport. It's the first fatal incident involving the Dreamliner aircraft.

Videos posted on social media showed the jet losing altitude before it hit a medical staff hostel and exploded into a ball of fire.

The cause of the crash remains unknown.

Authorities have launched a formal investigation to ascertain the reason behind the crash, but Air India has said the investigation will take time.

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Jitender Bhargava, a former executive director of Air India, said authorities will carry out a thorough investigation.

"The industry's response, including investigations and ongoing safety reviews,........

© Deutsche Welle