Dark forces and railways are shutting out our light
T he windows were dirty, so they had to go. They couldn't reasonably be smashed or painted with biblical scenes in stained glass. What else were the station managers meant to do? They covered them up, of course, with sticky paper. It's what I do when my kitchen is grimy. I wrap it up in masking tape.
All right, I don't, but we can safely assume the station managers at Waterloo do, given that commuters arrived at the start of last week to find the windows of the footbridge from Waterloo to Waterloo East had been papered over, replacing the natural light with the gloomy hue of total and utter mediocrity. After a call from a Times colleague, the covers were hastily peeled off, but not before disgruntled staff told commuters the reason: cleaning the windows would be too expensive.
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Sky News
13 minutes ago
- Sky News
India plane crash live: Flight to Gatwick carrying 242 people crashes at Ahmedabad airport
Watch: Thick black smoke rises as ambulances arrive at scene This video shows plumes of black smoke rising from a residential area near the airport after the plane came down. Other footage circulating online shows images of people being moved in stretchers and taken away in ambulances. More than 50 Britons on board There were 53 Britons on board the Air India flight when it crashed, according to the airline. More than 240 passengers are believed to have been on the craft in total, with the majority Indian nationals. There were seven Portuguese nationals on the flight, with one Canadian. Here's the airline's statement in full: Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off. The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals. The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information. Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident. All flights suspended at Ahmedabad airport All flights to and from Ahmedabad have been suspended, an airport spokesperson has said in its first statement since the crash. "Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London, Gatwick, earlier today, was involved in a crash shortly after takeoff, outside the airport. "As a result, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, is currently not operational. "All flight operations are temporarily suspended until further notice. "Passengers are advised to check their respective airlines for the latest updates before proceeding to the airport. "We request your cooperation and patience as authorities manage this evolving situation." Pilot made mayday signal before crash, expert says Aviation expert Julian Bray has told Sky News he understands the pilot managed to make a mayday call. This would mean the crew was aware of a problem before the incident happened. A mayday call is an internationally recognised distress signal used in radio communication. It indicates an imminent danger and the need for immediate assistance. In pictures: Aftermath of crash These are some of the latest images from Ahmedabad, where the plane crashed into a residential area - as we reported at 10.29. 'First ever' Boeing 787 crash This is the first crash ever of a Boeing 787 aircraft, according to the Aviation Safety Network database. The 787 Dreamliner is a widebody, twin-engined plane. The model has carried out more than five million journeys in the 14 years since its first passenger flight, Boeing's website says. More than 1,000 have been delivered to dozens of airlines, according to the flightradar24 website. Unusual for 'state of the art' plane to crash at take-off, expert says We've just caught up with Aviation expert Julian Bray, who's given his thoughts on the incident. While he says it is "pure speculation", he believes there must be a look into the "security" around the flight. "What I am worried about is, if this instance happened while it's taking off, we really have to look at the security side of things and work out whether there's some evil intent behind this," he told our presenter Gareth Barlow. "Because, basically, the aircraft these days, they sort of fly themselves. "And so there shouldn't have been a problem, in taking off, especially not with a Dreamliner. It's got a pretty good track record. "And, as I say, it is state of the art. So, we really need more detail and the detail will come out today." Plane crashed into residential area The London-bound plane crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the director general of the Directorate of Civil Aviation, has told the Associated Press. The crash took place five minutes after taking off at 1:38pm local time, he said. There were 232 passengers and 12 crew members onboard, Kidwai added. Medics rushing to crash, says aviation minister India's civil aviation minister says he is "shocked and devastated" by the plane crash. "I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action," says Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu. "Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site. "My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families." Gatwick confirms plane was due to land tonight We've just heard from Gatwick Airport, where the flight was heading. "We can confirm that flight AI171 that crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25," the airport has said in a statement. "More information to follow."
The Sun
15 minutes ago
- The Sun
India plane crash LIVE: Boeing 787 heading for London Gatwick carrying 244 people crashes in fireball after take-off
A PASSENGER plane heading to London has crash landed in India. At least 244 people were on board the Air India aircraft as it smashed into the ground near to an airport in Ahmedabad. 3 3 3 The plane was headed to London Gatwick in the UK, Air India confirmed. There were reportedly 232 passengers and 12 crew on board. It's understood there were 53 Brits on board, as well as 169 Indian, one Canadian and seven Portuguese passengers, according to a source. According to flight tracking website Flightradar, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner's final signal was received just seconds after take-off. This was last logged at 10.08am local time - less than a minute after it started its journey. It had only reached 625 feet at the time, officials believe. In a statement the airline said: "Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick was involved in an accident on 12 June 2025. "At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest opportunity." Police said the plane crashed into a "civilian area" in Meghaninagar. Officials are yet to comment on if there are any casualties. The aircraft was attempting to take off from Ahmedabad Airport when it crashed, local TV channels reported. A fireball explosion is said to have erupted near to the airport as footage shows thick plumes of black smoke quickly pouring into the skies. The Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services Department quickly deployed over five fire-fighting teams to the site as well as dozens of ambulances. Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, the Civil Aviation Minister, said in a statement: "Shocked and devastated to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. "We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action. "Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site. "My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families." It is still unclear what caused the disaster.
Wales Online
16 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Air India chairman expresses 'profound sorrow' as UK-bound plane crashes
Air India chairman expresses 'profound sorrow' as UK-bound plane crashes Air India Flight 171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed seconds after takeoff Firefighters work at the site of the crash (AP/Ajit Solanki) Air India's chairman has expressed his 'profound sorrow' after a plane bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after take-off, with more than 240 people aboard. N. Chandrasekaran said: 'With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event. 'At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted. 'Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. 'An emergency centre has been activated and support team have been set up for families seeking information.' The Air India flight was departing from Ahmedabad airport, with 244 people were onboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Videos posted on social media show a large explosion as the plane crashes in a residential area. Article continues below Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, director general of India's directorate of civil aviation, told the Associated Press the crash happened in the Meghani Nagar area at 1.38pm local time (9.08am BST). Mr Kidwai said there were 232 passengers and 12 crew members onboard. Emergency teams have been activated at Ahmedabad airport. This is the first crash involving a Boeing 787 aircraft, according to the Aviation Safety Network database. A spokesperson for Air India said: 'Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest.' Article continues below Flight tracking website Flightradar24 posted on social media platform X: 'We are following reports of a crash of Air India flight #AI171 from Ahmedabad to London. 'We received the last signal from the aircraft at 08:08:51 UTC (shortly before 9.09am BST), just seconds after take off. 'The aircraft involved is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration VT-ANB.' It added that the signal from the aircraft was lost 'less than a minute after take-off'.
