"Devastating": UK PM After Air India Flight With 53 British Citizens Crashes

An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flying to London crashed shortly after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport. There were 242 people on board the plane, which included 169 Indians, 53 British, one Canadian and seven Portuguese on the flight, along with the crew and two pilots.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the scenes emerging from Ahmedabad are "devastating". 

Read more: Air India Dreamliner Flight With 242 On Board Crashes In Ahmedabad

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

The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.

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

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 12, 2025

Live updates here

UK's King Charles III, in a statement, said, "My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning. Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones." 

"I would like to pay a particular tribute to the heroic efforts of the emergency services and all those providing help and support at this most heartbreaking and traumatic time," the UK royal said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the tragedy in Ahmedabad "has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words," adding that "In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it."

The Prime Minister said he has "been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan also reacted to the incident, and said he is in touch with the Government of India and the Indian High Commission in London, adding that "The news from India is deeply distressing. My thoughts are with the family & friends of those on board the Air India flight can only imagine how devastating this must be."

Air India has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information.

What We Know So Far

1. The crash took place shortly after takeoff at 1:38 pm. The flight was scheduled for takeoff at 1:20 pm. According to FlightRadar, the signal from the aircraft was lost at 625 feet.
2. The pilots struggled to stay in the climb just before they raised a Mayday call and the plane went down.
3. The aircraft crashed into the hostel of a medical college located near the college.
4. Visuals showed charred wreckage of the plane, thick smoke rising from the site and emergency personnel at work. Some videos also showed injured taken to hospitals.
5. At least two dozen ambulances arrived at the site and some have taken away injured people to hospital. The police have diverted traffic from the area.