Royal residences have lowered their flags to half-mast following the Air India disaster.
In response to the tragedy, flags have been lowered to half-mast at all royal residences, with the exception of the Royal Standard.
Unlike the Union flag, the Royal Standard is never flown at half mast, even after the death of a monarch, as there is always a sovereign on the throne.
King Charles expressed profound distress over the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that claimed 242 lives, including 53 British nationals.
Buckingham Palace and all royal homes lower flags to half-mast following Air India disaster.
Getty / GB News
"My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning," the monarch said in a statement on Thursday.
The King extended his sympathies to those affected, stating: "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."
The London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:39 IST on Thursday. The aircraft came down in a residential area near the airport, striking a doctor's hostel.
Flight radar data indicates contact was lost seconds after take-off when the plane had reached just 625 feet. The aircraft had issued a mayday call to air traffic control but subsequently failed to respond.
Buckingham Palace's flag has been lowered to half mast.
GB News
The 242 people aboard included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian national, along with two pilots and 10 cabin crew members.
Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles is being kept informed of developments regarding the tragedy. The monarch paid tribute to those responding to the disaster, stating: "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."
All flight operations at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have been suspended until further notice, an airport spokesperson confirmed.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the emerging scenes as "devastating" in his response to the disaster. "The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating," he said.
A tail of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane that crashed is seen stuck on a building after the incident in Ahmedabad.
Reuters
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Emergency personnel and other people gather near damaged property, at the site where an Air India plane crashed.
Reuters
The Prime Minister confirmed he was monitoring the situation closely, adding: "I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time."
Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed his sadness at the tragedy. "Deeply saddened by news of a devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. My thoughts are with all those affected," he stated.
Lammy confirmed Britain's involvement in the response efforts, saying: "The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support."
Emergency services arrived at the crash site within minutes, with police, firefighters and civic workers conducting rescue operations, according to a senior police officer who spoke to ANI news agency.
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