Air India crash: Search for black boxes continues after PM visits wreckage site
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Pinned Update June 12, 2025 10:50 am 53 British nationals were onboard tragic flight
We're receiving more details about the passengers onboard.
217 adults, 11 children and two infants were onboard.
53 passengers were British nationals. 169 were Indian nationals, seven were Portuguese, and there was one Canadian on board.
All the passengers, except one 40-year-old British national, are believed to be dead. June 13, 2025 6:31 am Watch: Indian Prime Minister silently inspects wreckage
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video June 13, 2025 6:26 am Here's what we know so far this morning
Thanks for joining our coverage today. The second day of searches for the remains of passengers on the Air India flight is well underway in Ahmedabad. Everyone onboard except for one man died.
Prime Minister Modi visited the scene, and was seen silently inspecting the rubble and plane debris.
Police are reportedly not allowing bodies to be released to family until DNA analysis from family members is complete.
The search for the plane's black boxes is underway again June 12, 2025 10:59 pm Seven killed when Air India plane collided with medical college
At least five medical students, one resident doctor and the wife of a doctor of the BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad were killed and 60 students were injured in the Air India crash.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into the medical school's accommodation for male students, slamming into the dorm's dining hall while up to 80 students were inside.
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) national vice president, Dr Divyansh Singh, confirmed the deaths.
He added: 'Bodies that have been found were totally charred.' June 12, 2025 10:45 pm New bride on way to see husband for first time since wedding feared dead
The last photo ever taken of Khushboo Rajpurohit was just outside Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
She was set to fly to London to see her husband, Manfool Singh, for the first time since getting married in January.
But Rajpurohit, from the village of Araba in Rajasthan's Balotra district, is now believed to have been among the 241 who died in the Air India crash, NDTV reported. June 12, 2025 10:39 pm Woman missed doomed Air India flight by 10 minutes
A woman who missed her flight to London by 10 minutes narrowly escaped the Air India flight AI-171 crash.
Bhoomi Chauhan had her ticket at the ready for the flight from Ahmedabad only to miss it, she told Republic TV.
She said: 'I am completely devastated after hearing about the loss. My body is literally shivering. I am not able to talk. My mind is totally blank now after hearing all that has happened.' June 12, 2025 10:34 pm Air India plane that crashed had 'prior issues', claims passenger
'The AC isn't working, many systems are non-functional, and passengers are visibly distressed. Even the entertainment screens in front of the seats are not operational.'
This is what a passenger who says they were on the same aircraft hours before the crash said they experienced.
Akash Vatsa said on X that he was on the AI 423 from Delhi to Ahmedabad this morning and landed at 11.40am.
He added: 'The cabin is hot and stuffy, I'm sweating. The air conditioning hasn't worked for 15 minutes. This is Air India's Dreamliner aircraft.' June 12, 2025 10:25 pm Tributes to This Morning star feared dead
Former This Morning editor Martin Frizell has paid tribute to a former guest feared to have been those aboad the Air India flight.
Fiongal Greenlaw, 39, and his husband Jamie Meek, 45, filmed themselves for an Instagram video moments before boarding.
They founded a wellness brand together, which Fiongal promoted on the morning talk show earlier this year.
Frizell said on social media: 'I remember his visit to the studio in January, he was passionate about auras and although I'm a sceptical sort his vibrancy and sheer enthusiasm won folk over.' https://www.instagram.com/p/DKzsG71IJMY/ June 12, 2025 9:44 pm 'Lovely lady' and two-year-old grandson feared on board Air India flight
A 'lovely' grandmother and her two-year-old grandson are feared to have crashed alongside 240 others in Air India flight AI171.
Recently widowed Raxa Modha, 55, her daughter-in-law Yasha Kamdar and grandson Rudra are believed to have been on the plane.
The widow was returning to Northamptonshire with her family after spending time in India following her husband Kishor's death.
In a twist of fate, Raxa's son Kishan was also planning to fly home but on a different flight planned for tomorrow.
Speaking to MailOnline, a family friend said: 'It's incredibly sad, the whole family is already grieving Kishor's death.
'Kishan fortunately was getting on another flight, but we don't know what has happened to the others.'
Wellingborough's mayor Raj Mishra called the deaths of Raxa, Yasha and Rudra 'devastating' as he extended his 'deepest condolences to their families, friends, and all those affected by this heartbreaking event.' June 12, 2025 9:29 pm First pictures of family-of-three feared dead in Ahmedabad tragedy
A family-of-three are believed to have taken doomed flight AI171, coming home after enjoying a five-day family celebration in India.
The successful couple ran a global recruitment agency with offices in Ahmedabad and Gloucester.
Their devastated business partner Shoyeb Khan Nagori told MailOnline: 'I had dinner with them last night. They were a lovely family and Akeel and his wife were extremely successful people.'
He went to the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, alongside hundreds of others hoping to hear news of their relatives on board the plane. June 12, 2025 9:08 pm Chilling selfie on board AI171 flight for family planning to start new life in London
A family excited to start a new life together in London took one last selfie before doomed Air India flight AI171 took off from Ahmedabad.
Doctor Komi Vyas had quit her job to join her husband Dr Prateek Joshi in London with their three children.
Dr Joshi had returned from London earlier this week to bring his family with him on their new chapter.
They all beamed on board AI171 as the plane prepared to take off and fly to London.
Moments after departure, it plunged into a doctor's hospital, killing the family and 236 others on board. There was only one survivor. June 12, 2025 8:55 pm Formal investigation into crash begins
A formal investigation into the devastating crash in Ahmedabad has been initiated, the country's civil aviation minister has announced.
Posting on X, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) had begun an investigation 'in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).'
The government will also establish a new 'high-level committee' of experts to examine what happened, he added. June 12, 2025 8:55 pm 'We need to find out what caused this,' says Labour MP
Labour MP Warinder Jess has said the large Indian community in his constituency are in 'extreme distress'.
The Wolverhampton West MP told Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge that 'everybody is still in shock' about today's plane crash.
He added: 'We need to find out what caused this accident'.
Conservative MP Shivani Raja agreed, saying: 'Aeroplanes do sadly on occasion crash, but it's meant to be the safest form of transport.
'We need to find out exactly what happened.' June 12, 2025 7:52 pm Indian Interior Minister meets British sole survivor
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India's Interior Minister Amit Shah has met those injured in the AI171 crash on Thursday morning, including the only passenger who is believed to have survived the crash.
Amit Shah visited Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital on Wednesday evening and met Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, who survived the crash while on seat 11A. June 12, 2025 7:19 pm British man has 'no idea' how he survived, family say
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A British man believed to be the sole survivor of the Air India crash has 'no idea' how he escaped the plane.
The family of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, spoke outside their Leicester home.
His brother said: 'We were just shocked as soon as we heard it.
'I last spoke to him yesterday morning. We're devastated, just devastated.
'He said I have no idea how I exited the plane.'
According to the Hindustan Times, the survivor recalled: 'Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.'
His brother, Ajay, is believed to also have been on the plane but sat on a different row to Vishwash. June 12, 2025 6:59 pm Boeing's President offers to support investigation into crash
The President and CEO of Boeing Kelly Ortberg has offered his 'deepest condlences' to the 'loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171'.
It was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner which crashed shortly after take off from Ahmedabad en route to Gatwick.
In a short statement, the airplane manufacturer said they 'stands [sic] ready to support the investigation led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau' into the incident. June 12, 2025 6:51 pm Starmer: 'Our thoughts are with everyone impacted'
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Keir Starmer has described the Air India disaster as 'absolutely devastating' as he detailed British help with crash investigations.
Speaking from Downing Street, the PM said: 'I speak for the entire country in saying our thoughts are with each and every one of those involved.'
He said the Foreign Secretary David Lammy is leading on the British response, and said an investigation team has been dispatched to India to establish the facts. June 12, 2025 6:46 pm 'We are profoundly heartbroken' – tributes to British family killed in Air India crash
The friends and family of a British family killed on board flight AI171 say they are 'profoundly heartbroken' are the 'catastrophic crash'.
Husband and wife Akeel Nanabawa and Hannaa Vorajee, from Gloucester, were on the Air India flight with their 'beloved' daughter Sara.
Their family members confirmed to the BBC that they were on the plane which left Ahmedabad for Gatwick.
Gloucestershire Muslim Bereavement Council (GMBC) said in a statement they extend their 'most sincere and deepest condolences to the Nanabawa family upon receiving the tragic news'.
They added: 'During this moment of overwhelming sorrow, our hearts go out to all those left behind.
'No words can truly ease the pain of such a profound loss, but we pray that the family may find solace in the tremendous outpouring of compassion and solidarity from communities across the world.
'May their cherished memories provide comfort, and may they rest in eternal peace.' June 12, 2025 6:02 pm Black box of AI171 has been recovered from crash site
The black box of the crashed Air India flight has been recovered and is being transported for investigation.
A black box records flight data and cockpit audio, so is crucial for investigators to understand what causes a flight to go wrong.
The Airports Authority of India has recovered AI171's black box, according to news channel Republic World and other local news sites. June 12, 2025 5:47 pm Trump says US will do 'anything we can do' to help
US President Donald Trump offered aid to India after the 'horrific' Ahmedabad crash, which he called 'one of the worst in aviation history'.
Speaking at a press conference Thursday afternoon, Trump said: 'I let them know anything we can do, we'll be over there immediately.
'It was a horrific crash, it looks like most are gone.
'Nobody has any idea what it might be. I gave them a couple pointerss. I said 'maybe you will look at this'.
'It looked like the plane was flying well.'
🚨President Trump speaks on the Air India plane crash this morning: "The plane crash was terrible. I've already told them, anything we can do. We will be over there immediately." pic.twitter.com/wurBnysvQa — Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) June 12, 2025 June 12, 2025 5:34 pm Tributes to pilots and cabin crew of doomed Air India flight
Information is coming in about the pilots and air stewards on AI171.
The plane's co-pilot Clive Kunder has been described as a promising pilot, with 1,100 of flying hours, whose career was tragically cut short.
He is the uncle of Indian actor Vikrant Massey. He said his 'heart breaks' over the crash in a post on Instagram.
The flight's Captain has been named as Sumeet Sabharwal. He had over 8,200 hours of experience.
A number of the cabin crew have also been identified.
Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam and Lamnunthem Singson, as well as senior members Shradha Dhavan and Aparna Mahadik were also named among the crew.
Kongbrailatpam's family were tears as they looked through a photo album with pictures of her inside.
Saineeta Chakravarti, Deepak Pathak, Maithili Patil, Irfan Shaikh, Roshni Songhare Rajendra, and Manisha Thapa were all working on the plane when it came down after take off.
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South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
Community visibly emotional during candlelit vigil for Air India crash victims
Faith leaders from the Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities led the service on Saturday at the Siddhashram Shakti Centre in Harrow, north-west London, where 20 of the victims are thought to have previously worshipped. One of the most emotional moments of the vigil came when Harrow Mayor, Councillor Anjana Patel, shared that two young girls had lost their father in the crash, just weeks after their mother died from cancer. Their father, Arjun Patoliya, had flown to Gujarat to scatter his wife Bharti's ashes following her death. He was returning home to his daughters, aged four and eight, when the plane went down. 'The saddest incident we have got here in Harrow is one parent had already died here because of cancer,' Cllr Patel said, as the crowd audibly gasped. 'The husband went to do the rituals in India and coming back, he was on board. He has left two little girls behind and the girls are now orphans. 'I really hope that those girls will be looked after by all of us.' She added: 'Caring is the most that we can do at this hour. 'We don't have any words to describe how the families and friends must be feeling, so what we can do is pray for them.' She also revealed how her sister-in-law's cousin had been killed in the crash. Local councillors, a local MP and residents packed into the temple for the ceremony, which included emotional tributes, candle lighting, and a message of condolence from the King. Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East, said it was believed to be the highest number of British deaths ever recorded in a plane crash, with 53 UK nationals on board. 'When someone dies in illness or old age, we celebrate their lives,' he said. 'But when an air crash happens – completely unpredictable – people are taken away from us immediately, just like that.' 'We think of all those families sitting by the telephone, wondering if their loved ones were actually on the plane.' He said the Gujarati community in the UK was deeply affected, with victims having links to Harrow, Leicester, Birmingham and beyond. 'The difficulty the authorities have already got is: who are they visiting? Which family members were they coming to see in the UK?' he said. Councillor Hitesh Karia, who represents Pinner South ward and is a member of the temple's congregation, also shared the impact of the tragedy. Speaking to the PA news agency, he said: 'It's nice that the local community can come together – the local support means a lot. 'Twenty devotees that come here have sadly lost their lives.' 'It shows there is a solidarity, and despite the high amount of diversity, we can come together when appropriate.' The vigil was held at the temple led by Shri Rajrajeshwar Guruji, who previously told PA he knew 20 of the victims personally. Many in the hall quietly wept as candles were lit by representatives of all four faiths. 'The only feeling left is sadness – we can't do any more,' Mr Guruji said.
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Community visibly emotional during candlelit vigil for Air India crash victims
Faith leaders from the Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities led the service on Saturday at the Siddhashram Shakti Centre in Harrow, north-west London, where 20 of the victims are thought to have previously worshipped. One of the most emotional moments of the vigil came when Harrow Mayor, Councillor Anjana Patel, shared that two young girls had lost their father in the crash, just weeks after their mother died from cancer. Their father, Arjun Patoliya, had flown to Gujarat to scatter his wife Bharti's ashes following her death. He was returning home to his daughters, aged four and eight, when the plane went down. 'The saddest incident we have got here in Harrow is one parent had already died here because of cancer,' Cllr Patel said, as the crowd audibly gasped. 'The husband went to do the rituals in India and coming back, he was on board. He has left two little girls behind and the girls are now orphans. 'I really hope that those girls will be looked after by all of us.' She added: 'Caring is the most that we can do at this hour. 'We don't have any words to describe how the families and friends must be feeling, so what we can do is pray for them.' She also revealed how her sister-in-law's cousin had been killed in the crash. Local councillors, a local MP and residents packed into the temple for the ceremony, which included emotional tributes, candle lighting, and a message of condolence from the King. Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East, said it was believed to be the highest number of British deaths ever recorded in a plane crash, with 53 UK nationals on board. 'When someone dies in illness or old age, we celebrate their lives,' he said. 'But when an air crash happens – completely unpredictable – people are taken away from us immediately, just like that.' 'We think of all those families sitting by the telephone, wondering if their loved ones were actually on the plane.' He said the Gujarati community in the UK was deeply affected, with victims having links to Harrow, Leicester, Birmingham and beyond. 'The difficulty the authorities have already got is: who are they visiting? Which family members were they coming to see in the UK?' he said. Councillor Hitesh Karia, who represents Pinner South ward and is a member of the temple's congregation, also shared the impact of the tragedy. Speaking to the PA news agency, he said: 'It's nice that the local community can come together – the local support means a lot. 'Twenty devotees that come here have sadly lost their lives.' 'It shows there is a solidarity, and despite the high amount of diversity, we can come together when appropriate.' The vigil was held at the temple led by Shri Rajrajeshwar Guruji, who previously told PA he knew 20 of the victims personally. Many in the hall quietly wept as candles were lit by representatives of all four faiths. 'The only feeling left is sadness – we can't do any more,' Mr Guruji said.
Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Community visibly emotional during candlelit vigil for Air India crash victims
People attending a vigil in London to remember victims of the Air India plane crash became visibly emotional after learning that two young girls had been orphaned by the disaster. Faith leaders from the Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities led the service on Saturday at the Siddhashram Shakti Centre in Harrow, north-west London, where 20 of the victims are thought to have previously worshipped. One of the most emotional moments of the vigil came when Harrow Mayor, Councillor Anjana Patel, shared that two young girls had lost their father in the crash, just weeks after their mother died from cancer. Their father, Arjun Patoliya, had flown to Gujarat to scatter his wife Bharti's ashes following her death. He was returning home to his daughters, aged four and eight, when the plane went down. 'The saddest incident we have got here in Harrow is one parent had already died here because of cancer,' Cllr Patel said, as the crowd audibly gasped. 'The husband went to do the rituals in India and coming back, he was on board. He has left two little girls behind and the girls are now orphans. 'I really hope that those girls will be looked after by all of us.' She added: 'Caring is the most that we can do at this hour. 'We don't have any words to describe how the families and friends must be feeling, so what we can do is pray for them.' She also revealed how her sister-in-law's cousin had been killed in the crash. Local councillors, a local MP and residents packed into the temple for the ceremony, which included emotional tributes, candle lighting, and a message of condolence from the King. Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East, said it was believed to be the highest number of British deaths ever recorded in a plane crash, with 53 UK nationals on board. 'When someone dies in illness or old age, we celebrate their lives,' he said. 'But when an air crash happens – completely unpredictable – people are taken away from us immediately, just like that.' 'We think of all those families sitting by the telephone, wondering if their loved ones were actually on the plane.' He said the Gujarati community in the UK was deeply affected, with victims having links to Harrow, Leicester, Birmingham and beyond. 'The difficulty the authorities have already got is: who are they visiting? Which family members were they coming to see in the UK?' he said. Councillor Hitesh Karia, who represents Pinner South ward and is a member of the temple's congregation, also shared the impact of the tragedy. Speaking to the PA news agency, he said: 'It's nice that the local community can come together – the local support means a lot. 'Twenty devotees that come here have sadly lost their lives.' 'It shows there is a solidarity, and despite the high amount of diversity, we can come together when appropriate.' The vigil was held at the temple led by Shri Rajrajeshwar Guruji, who previously told PA he knew 20 of the victims personally. Many in the hall quietly wept as candles were lit by representatives of all four faiths.
