Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — There were no Uzbek nationals among the passengers of the flight that crashed in India, according to Akhror Burkhanov, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of the tragic incident that occurred on Indian territory,” the Foreign Ministry representative said, extending heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who perished in the crash.

According to preliminary information available at this time, no citizens of Uzbekistan were on board the ill-fated flight.

The disaster occurred during takeoff of an Air India passenger aircraft at the airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat State. A total of 244 people were on board. Indian media reported that the aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating flight AI 171 to London.

Eyewitnesses described hearing loud explosions in the Meghani Nagar area, where the aircraft went down, followed by the outbreak of a fire.