King Charles to lead moments silence for Ahmedabad plane-crash victims
Last Updated:
London, Jun 14 (PTI) Britain's King Charles III will on Saturday lead a moment's silence in memory of the Ahmedabad-London Air India plane-crash victims after making amendments to his annual Trooping the Colour birthday parade.
Buckingham Palace said the 76-year-old monarch wanted the alterations 'as a mark of respect for the lives lost, the families in mourning and all the communities affected by this awful tragedy". It will also see members of the royal family wear black armbands as a mark of respect to the 241 passengers and crew who lost their lives in Thursday's London-bound plane crash in Ahmedabad.
In an earlier statement, King Charles had said he and his wife, Queen Camilla, were 'desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad".
'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," the statement issued by Buckingham Palace noted in the wake of the tragedy.
'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," it quoted the king as saying.
The minute's silence will be held after the king inspects the guard on Horse Guards Parade in London. It comes as the United Kingdom's flags were on Friday flown at half-mast on all royal residences and government buildings as a mark of respect.
The Trooping the Colour birthday parade includes an inspection of troops and parade, culminating traditionally in a Red Arrows Royal Air Force (RAF) flypast over Buckingham Palace, watched over from the balcony by senior royals.
King Charles III's birthday is on November 14, but traditionally the British monarch's public celebrations are held in mid-June for warmer weather.
The ceremony dates back to the 17th century and sees regimental colours being displayed in front of the monarch, with the colours of the Coldstream Guards to be presented at this year's parade. PTI AK RC
First Published:
June 14, 2025, 05:15 IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
23 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Full: Civil Aviation Minister Gives Big Update On Black Box, Boeing 787 Safety After Air India Crash
A catastrophic air disaster unfolded in Ahmedabad as Air India flight AIC 171 crashed seconds after takeoff. Carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew, the plane declared a 'May Day' before vanishing from radar. It plunged near Medhaninagar, just 2 km from the runway. Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha revealed chilling details at a press meet alongside Minister Ram Mohan Naidu. Who was responsible? What went wrong in mere seconds?
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Air India crash: Tata to pay ₹1 cr to victims on ground, toll rises to 274
The death toll from the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner (flight AI171) crash in Ahmedabad on Saturday climbed to 274, including 33 of those who were on the ground when the aircraft went down. The Tata Group, which owns Air India, has extended its compensation package to include these victims. In a statement, the Tata Group confirmed that the compensation of ₹1 crore, initially announced for passengers on board, will also be offered to the families of those who died on the ground. The conglomerate has also committed to covering the medical expenses of all those injured in the crash, The Indian Express reported. 'They will make sure that injured individuals receive all the care and support they need,' the statement added. The flight, bound for London, crashed into a crowded locality near Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad, shortly after departing from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday. The tragedy claimed the lives of 241 people onboard. The wide-body aircraft was carrying 242 individuals, including both passengers and crew. The flight made a distress call to air traffic control at 1:39 pm local time, reporting trouble shortly after takeoff. Radar data indicates that the plane had climbed to only about 625 feet before disappearing from the system. Moments after the distress signal was sent, the pilot issued an urgent 'MAYDAY, MAYDAY…' call. Soon after, eyewitnesses and officials confirmed that the aircraft caught fire in mid-air and crashed just outside the airport perimeter, igniting a massive blaze in the surrounding area. Locals, students among the deceased Among the deceased and injured on the ground are believed to be doctors, hospital staff, students, and local residents from Meghaninagar — a densely populated area near the airport. The aircraft, while crashing, struck part of the BJ Medical College campus, causing significant damage. The Tata Group has also pledged to assist in rebuilding the BJ Medical College hostel, which suffered severe structural damage in the crash. Many of the ground victims are thought to have been on or near the college premises at the time of the incident. Insurance compensation of ₹1.5 crore likely In addition to the Tata Group's compensation, each passenger who died in the crash is expected to receive around ₹1.5 crore from insurance providers. The primary insurers for Air India include Tata AIG General Insurance — which holds over 40 per cent of the coverage — along with ICICI Lombard, New India Assurance, and other public sector insurers. The final compensation liability will be managed by a consortium of reinsurers led by AIG.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Air India crash victims charred beyond recognition, families await DNA test results
Scenes of anguish and heartbreak continued to unfold at the BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad on Saturday, as desperate families searched for their loved ones, three days after the devastating Air India crash that claimed the lives of all but one on far, at least 270 bodies have been recovered, including 242 from the ill-fated London-bound flight. Most of the victims were charred beyond recognition, leaving grief-stricken relatives with no choice but to rely on clues, clothing, ornaments, or distinguishing features, to help officials identify the testing is the only reliable method of confirmation, and the painstaking process is still underway. Over 230 DNA samples have already been collected at BJ Medical College, with six more taken on Saturday morning. Officials said families would be informed once DNA test results confirm the identities. For the bereaved families, the unbearable loss is only compounded by the agonising wait to reclaim the remains of their loved ones. So far, only six bodies have been handed over following identification.'We've been told to wait 72 hours for the DNA results to come,' said a relative of one of the flight's crew members, speaking to news agency a single-window system set up for the families, officials said a death certificate would be issued along with the body once the identification process is Boeing 787 Dreamliner (AI 171), carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel and canteen complex in Meghaninagar just moments after taking off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday news of the crash spread, frantic relatives tried calling their loved ones, clinging to hope. Many rushed to Ahmedabad, from across India and even from abroad, praying for a miracle. But reality was not in their InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Ahmedabad Plane Crash
