UK's King Charles 'desperately shocked' by India air crash

TDT | Manama

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The UK's King Charles III said he was "desperately shocked" by Thursday's air crash in India, sending "prayers and deepest possible sympathies" to the families of those affected.

"My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning," the monarch wrote on Instagram, calling it a "heartbreaking and traumatic time".

Charles is the head of the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 countries including India.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement that the "scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating".

"My thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time," he added.

Air India said the 242 passengers and crew on board the Boeing 787-8, none of whom are believed to have survived, included 53 British nationals.

UK foreign minister David Lammy wrote on X that he was "deeply saddened by news of a devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad".

"My thoughts are with all those affected," he added. "The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support."

Conservative leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch called the news "heartbreaking".