King Charles issues statement after London-bound plane carrying 242 passengers crashes in India

London-bound Boeing 787 crashes in northern India.

Svar Nanan-Sen

By Svar Nanan-Sen


Published: 12/06/2025

- 13:26

Updated: 12/06/2025

- 15:41

Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the King is being kept up to date on the tragedy

King Charles has issued a statement following a London-bound plane crashing in India.

The Air India flight carrying 242 people, including 53 British nationals, crashed in the city of Ahmedabad earlier today.


The King 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.

King Charles

King Charles has issued a statement following a London-bound plane crashing in India.

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"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 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner came down in a residential area near the airport, striking a doctors' hostel.

The aircraft had departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:39 IST from runway 23.

The plane was due to land at London Gatwick Airport at 18:25 (BST) today.

India plane

The London-bound Air India flight carrying 242 people, including 53 British nationals, crashed in the Indian city of Ahmedabad earlier today.

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According to Flight Radar data, contact was lost mere seconds after take-off when the plane had reached an altitude of 625 feet.

Emergency services reached the crash site within minutes.

Police at the scene have said at least 25 people were injured on the ground when the plane crashed into a residential area.

The flight crew consisted of an experienced captain with 8,200 flying hours and a co-pilot with 1,100 hours of experience.

Air India

Emergency services reached the crash site within minutes.

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Among the 242 people aboard were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian national, alongside two pilots and 10 cabin crew members.

The aircraft issued a mayday call to air traffic control shortly after take-off but subsequently failed to respond.

A spokesperson for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport confirmed that all flight operations have been suspended until further notice.