New Delhi: The Air India plane crash has triggered a wave of international responses, with world leaders expressing grief for the victims and support for their families.
The AI Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after take-off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad Thursday.
On X, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has termed what happened to the flight, which had 53 British nationals on board, as “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,” he said.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that he was “deeply saddened” while confirming that the British government was working closely with Indian authorities to “urgently establish the facts and provide support”.
The flight, which was to land in London at 6.25 pm local time, crashed at 1.40 pm close to the airport in Meghani Nagar, Gujarat. Operated by Air India, AI Flight 171 was carrying 242 people. Among them were 169 Indians, including former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian.
Other G7 countries also expressed solidarity after Thursday’s tragedy. In Delhi, the Canadian High Commission offered the ‘deepest condolences’.
France was “deeply saddened” by the reports of the plane crash in Ahmedabad, said French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou on X. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. We express our full solidarity at this difficult time,” he added.
German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann called the crash “shocking and terrible”. The Italian embassy shared a message of condolence on X, saying that the country “stands with India” at this “moment of grief”. Japanese Ambassador to India Ono Keiichi wrote on X, “Japan stands in solidarity with India in this difficult time.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin said, “We share the pain of this loss and the grief of the victims’ families, standing in solidarity with India. Sincerely.” Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov called the incident a “major catastrophe”.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X: “Heartbroken to hear the news of a tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. My prayers are with all who lost their loved ones in this horrible incident. We continue to monitor developments and stand with the emergency responders working to help those impacted.” Chargé d’affaires in the US Embassy in India Jorgan Andrews stated on X said, “Our heartfelt condolences and thoughts are with the families who have been affected by this horrific tragedy.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen conveyed her “deepest condolences to the families and loved ones grieving the terrible loss”. She added, “Europe stands in solidarity with you and the people of India in this moment of sorrow.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the crash “horrible news”. “My deepest condolences to Prime Minister Modi and the entire people of India on this tragic day.”
Israel’s Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Saar said, “Our hearts are with the Indian people following this terrible incident.”
In a statement, the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi expressed its “deepest sorrow” while wishing for a “swift and full recovery” to all the injured. Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong echoed the sentiments, stating, “We stand in solidarity with all those affected in this difficult time.”
Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said on X, “We join all in prayers for the bereaved ones and their families. Bangladesh stands in solidarity with the people and government of India at this trying time.”
King Charles of England also shared a message on X, calling it an “appallingly tragic incident”. “My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning … 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.”
Canadian PM Mark Carney’s condolence message on X read: “Devastated to learn of the crash of a London-bound Air India plane in Ahmedabad, carrying 242 passengers—including one Canadian. My thoughts are with the loved ones of everyone on board.”
Norway Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide also extended his condolences. Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson called 12 June “a difficult day”, expressing the deepest sympathies to the government and people of India, besides the victims and their families.
From Pakistan, Pakistan Peoples Party Chair Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said he was “shocked and saddened” and offered his “profound condolences”. Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Nawaz Sharif posted on X: “This devastating loss transcends borders and reminds us of our shared humanity. My deepest sympathies to Prime Minister Modi and the people of India.” “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy,” Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif added.
Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong also extended his condolences to “the people of India in this time of sorrow” and expressed solidarity for those on board, including “citizens from other countries”. Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay said the country was “deeply saddened” by the tragic plane crash. Nepalese Ambassador to India Shankar Sharma prayed for the injured and wished them a speedy recovery.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake termed the “young medical students whose lives and futures were struck by this tragedy” after the flight crashed into a building “equally heartbreaking”. The Embassy of Mexico in India also extended its sympathies. Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim the country’s “thoughts and prayers are with the victims”.
“My heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all affected,” Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres wrote on X. Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the tragedy in Ahmedabad “heart-rending”.
Calling the crash “terrible”, the 7th president of the Republic of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih conveyed his condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the people and government of India, besides those affected by the tragedy. The current President Dr Mohamed Muizzu expressed his “profound sadness”, promising to stand with India.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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