British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called the Ahmedabad plane crash “devastating” after it was confirmed that 53 British nationals were among the passengers. The Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was en route from Ahmedabad to London when it crashed minutes after takeoff on Thursday afternoon. The plane had 242 people on board, including 232 passengers and 10 crew members. Officials reported that the aircraft issued a distress call before going down in Meghaninagar, a heavily populated area in the city.

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

In a message posted on X, PM Starmer extended his condolences to the families affected by the crash. He said he was being kept updated on the situation and emphasized that the UK government was working in coordination with Indian authorities. British officials are in contact with local agencies to obtain more information and provide assistance to the families of British citizens involved. The UK Foreign Office has activated support channels for those affected and is monitoring developments closely.

Air India confirmed the flight included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian citizen. A dedicated helpline has been launched to support families seeking information. Emergency response units, including aviation experts, disaster relief teams, and medical personnel, have been deployed to the site. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has started an investigation into the cause of the crash. Initial reports suggest the aircraft experienced technical difficulties shortly after takeoff. Recovery efforts are ongoing, and both Indian and international officials are collaborating to handle the aftermath of the tragic incident.