'By Aditi Khanna
London, Jun 12 (PTI)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday said that the scenes emerging of a London-bound Air India plane carrying many British nationals crashing in Ahmedabad are "devastating".
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff near the Ahmedabad Airport. There were 169 Indians, 53 British, one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals onboard the ill-fated Air India flight.
"The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating,” Starmer said in a statement.
"I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time," he said.
Buckingham Palace said King Charles III is being kept informed and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy took to social media to express his support.
“Deeply saddened by news of a devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. My thoughts are with all those affected. The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support,” he said.
Lammy said the UK Foreign Office has arranged crisis teams in both Delhi and London.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it was working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved. It issued a contact number for consular assistance.
“We are aware of a plane crash in Ahmedabad. The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved,” the FCDO's travel advisory notes.
“British nationals who require consular assistance or have concerns about friends or family should call 020 7008 5000,” it adds.
The UK Opposition Conservative Party Leader, Kemi Badenoch, described the tragedy as “heartbreaking”.
“My thoughts are with all those affected — especially the families of those on board, and the emergency teams responding to what appears to be a horrifying tragedy,” said Badenoch.
The plane was due to land at London Gatwick Airport at 1825 local time.