United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed deep sorrow over the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, which was bound for London Gatwick and had several British nationals on board. Taking to social media on June 12, PM Starmer called the emerging scenes from the crash site “devastating.”
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
“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 post. “I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.”
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with registration VT-ANB, crashed just moments after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft was carrying 242 passengers, including 53 British nationals, 169 Indian citizens, 1 Canadian national, and 7 Portuguese nationals.
Emergency teams are still engaged in rescue and recovery efforts at the crash site in the Meghani Nagar area. The UK Foreign Office is working closely with Indian authorities to monitor the situation and provide support to affected families.
Further updates from both governments are awaited.
