Buckingham Palace has shared an update after a devastating plane crash in India involving a London-bound flight carrying 242 people, including 53 British nationals.
The Palace has confirmed that King Charles is being actively kept informed as the situation on ground in India unfolds.
The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, June 12. The plane struck a doctor’s hostel in a nearby residential area, injuring the residents as well.
The flight was headed to London Gatwick and included 169 Indian nationals, 53 from the UK, seven Portuguese nationals, one Canadian, and a crew of 12. The experienced flight captain had logged over 8,000 flying hours.
According to Flight Radar data, the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control just seconds after takeoff, reaching only 625 feet in altitude before the mayday call went silent.
Emergency services rushed to the crash site within minutes. Local police confirmed that rescue operations are underway, with teams of firefighters and civic workers responding.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reacted swiftly, calling the incident “devastating.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy echoed the sentiment and said, “The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support.”
Flight operations at the airport remain suspended as investigations continue.
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