King Charles 'Desperately Shocked' by Plane Crash With at Least 200 Fatal Victims

More than 200 people have been confirmed dead after a commercial flight bound for London crashed into a residential area shortly after takeoff from an Indian city, prompting global condolences and a large-scale emergency response.

King Charles has expressed his condolences following the fatal crash of Air India Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12, 2025.

In a statement shared by the Royal Family, the monarch expressed, "My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning." The King extended his sympathy to the victims' families and acknowledged the efforts of emergency responders.

He stated, "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." He also paid tribute to those offering support during what he described as a "most heartbreaking and traumatic time."

According to Air India, the aircraft departed Ahmedabad at 1:38 p.m. local time, bound for London Gatwick. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was carrying 242 people, including crew. Passenger nationalities include 169 Indian citizens, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian.

Shortly after takeoff, the plane crashed into a residential area near the airport, striking a government hospital hostel housing medical students and doctors.

Video footage shared online captured the moment the aircraft hit the ground, followed by a large explosion. Another clip showed the extent of destruction caused by the impact.

Authorities in Ahmedabad confirmed that at least 204 bodies have been recovered from the crash site. Emergency services also reported that approximately 50 medical students were taken to hospitals for treatment, with some in intensive care.

According to the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), five students remain missing, while several family members of doctors are also unaccounted for.

Local politician Darshna Vaghela, who was in her nearby office at the time of the crash, described hearing a loud thud. "We rescued many doctors from their flats," she told reporters. The plane is said to have crashed directly into the doctors’ accommodation.

Several personal accounts have emerged from those affected. Ramila, a parent of one student, shared that her son was taking a lunch break in the hostel when the crash occurred. She said he jumped from the second floor and sustained injuries, but survived.

Outside Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital, relatives gathered in search of loved ones. Poonam Patel told the ANI news agency that his sister-in-law was on the flight to London, and he rushed to the hospital after learning about the crash, as reported by BBC News.

Air India issued a series of statements on X, confirming the incident and providing updates. The airline stated that it is fully cooperating with authorities and has established two dedicated hotline numbers for passengers' families — one for domestic callers (1800 5691 444) and another for foreign nationals (+91 8062779200). The carrier has requested that media representatives refrain from calling the hotlines.

Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson addressed the incident on Thursday through a video message shared on the airline's official social media platforms.

"I would like to express deep sorrow about this event. This is a difficult day for all of us at Air India," Wilson stated. He emphasized that the airline's efforts are centered on supporting passengers, crew members, and their families.

Wilson confirmed that injured passengers were being treated at local hospitals and that a special team of caregivers had been dispatched to Ahmedabad to offer further assistance. "We are actively working with the authorities on all emergency response efforts," he expressed.

Security and rescue operations began immediately after the crash. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) confirmed that its personnel activated emergency protocols and rushed to the scene.

According to a post shared on Facebook, rescue efforts are ongoing and are being conducted in close cooperation with local authorities and emergency responders. The CISF expressed its support for the victims and their families during this time of mourning.

Boeing has acknowledged the incident, stating that its thoughts are with all those affected. The company confirmed that it is maintaining contact with Air India and is cooperating as the investigation continues.

While the cause of the crash has not yet been confirmed, aviation specialists cited by BBC have suggested that malfunctioning wing flaps might be involved.

This is the deadliest air disaster in India in recent years. The last fatal plane crash in the country occurred in August 2020.

In that incident, an Air India Express Boeing 737 overshot the runway during heavy rain in the southern city of Kozhikode. The aircraft plunged into a valley and broke apart, resulting in the deaths of twenty-one people.

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, as recovery operations and support efforts remain underway for victims and their families.