In a statement from Buckingham Palace, King Charles has expressed his deep shock following the Air India plane crash in in the northwestern Indian city of Ahmedabad.
The plane had at least 242 people, including 53 British nationals, on board when it crashed shortly after take off, bound for London yesterday (12 June). Local police authorities initially said there appeared to be no survivors, but one man – British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh – survived the crash and was treated in hospital for injuries.
There have been casualties on the ground, too, but no further loss of life.
The King noted he and his wife 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 King has a personal interest in India: he founded the British Asian Trust (BAT) in 2007 with a group of British Asian business leaders. The organisation seeks ‘to unlock the potential of disadvantaged people in South Asia’, helping people out of poverty and to support areas of conservation, education, mental health and more.
Many prominent British Asians are patrons or supporters of the cause, including businessman James Caan, TV star Konnie Huq, musician Naughty Boy, and performers Nina Wadia and Meera Syal.
To date, BAT has supported over 13 million people in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Additionally, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.’
Both King Charles III and Prime Minister are being kept up-to-date on the plane crash in India.
