VE Day celebrations like 'nothing I'd ever seen'
"It was like nothing I'd ever seen," 102-year-old RAF veteran Kenneth Johnson said of the VE Day celebrations in 1945.
He is one of thousands across the north-east of England and Cumbria commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe.
Services and parties have taken place across the region, including parades in Redcar and the unveiling of a poppy art installation in Windermere, ahead of the lighting of beacons later as part of a national hilltop ceremony.
"Everyone was waltzing and snake dancing [conga lines] - it seems quite silly now," Mr Johnson remembers.
Mr Johnson, from Darlington, "broke out" of his barracks near Aylesbury to attend the Victory in Europe Day celebrations.
After enjoying themselves, Mr Johnson said he and his fellow comrades spent the night in an "underground shelter" and the following morning attempted to "sneak back" to their barracks.
"When we got off the train we saw the Red Hats [military police] were waiting at the station, they grabbed a few lads but we ran and hid," he said.
After getting back to the aerodrome base, Mr Johnson realised they were not the only ones to have left so he escaped disciplinary action.
He was 23 when the war in Europe ended and admits of feeling a sense of "relief" on hearing the news, but the memories are still there.
"The war was a terrible, I hope it's remembered, not what I did, because greater people played their parts than me."
One hundred-year-old George Young, from Amble, was stationed in Sri Lanka with the RAF during World War Two.
He now spends his time with his family playing golf, but told BBC Radio Newcastle how he still remembered his years spent in service.
"Height of winter, freezing conditions, storms, wind, anything could have happened," he said.
"I lost four years of my young life. I'd just joined the Amble golf club as a boy but the war started, the army moved in."
Mr Young was called up for service at the age of 18.
He said: "I remember firing a Sten gun, throwing a live hand grenade and on the passing out parade, we were the smartest guardsmen.
"There aren't many of us left so it is good to have a record of what did happen."
Parades and services have taken place across the North East, including in Redcar, where hundreds of veterans and service men and women walked from the boating lake to Redcar Beacon.
At Carlisle Cathedral, a service of choral evensong concluded at 18:30 BST with the ringing of the cathedral bells as part of the national "Ring Out In Celebration".
It mirrored the moment on 8 May 1945, when bells rang out across Britain as the nation took to the streets in celebration.
Elsewhere in Cumbria, primary school children marked the occasion by dressing as war evacuees.
Briony, a pupil at Windermere's St Martin and St Mary Church of England Primary, said VE Day was about "remembering all of the soldiers who gave up their lives for all of us and tried helping us live in peace".
Fellow pupil Noah said: "Soldiers, and not just soldiers but other people, have tried to make this world a better place for us to live in so we don't have to live in more world wars."
The students were also part of a project in which four Windermere schools helped create 4ft (1.2m) poppies under the guidance of artist, Donna Campbell.
They have been installed in various locations in the town, including at the war memorial where a short service was held for VE Day.
A beacon ceremony will take place in Windermere later, held on the summit of Orrest Head.
It will be lit at about 21:30 BST as part of a national network of hilltop beacons.
Lord Mayor of Newcastle, councillor Rob Higgins, will light the flambeau beacons in Newcastle later, and the lighting of a beacon at Keel Square, in Sunderland will also take place.
Hundreds gathered to get their spot in the square for the lighting ceremony.
Joanne Willis and Michelle Jenkins, both from Sunderland, arrived in Keel Square on Thursday morning.
They told the BBC they were "excited to be here" and would be staying until the beacon is lit tonight.
Beverley Thirwell and her mother Eileen Thirwell also grabbed their seats for the ceremony.
Eileen was alive during World War Two and remembers the original VE Day when she was just 14.
"It was lovely, everybody was singing," she said.
Beacons in Northumberland, County Durham, Hexham, Blyth and South Tyneside will also be lit.
Additional reporting by Andrew Watson, Phil Chapman and Jim Scott.
Follow BBC North East on X and Facebook and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook and both on Nextdoor and Instagram.
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No more survivors from plane crash, Air India confirms
Credit: X/ShivAroor Air India has confirmed there was only one survivor from today's plane crash in Ahmedabad. An airline spokesman said that 'of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital'. It came after a senior Indian police officer said there could be more survivors being treated in hospital. The only person to escape the crash alive was earlier confirmed to be Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin. 'He was near the emergency exit and managed to escape by jumping out the emergency door,' said Vidhi Chaudhary, a senior police officer in Ahmedabad, speaking about Viswashkumar. The flight to Gatwick took off at 1.39pm local time (9.09am BST) from runway 23. Of the 242 passengers on board, 53 were British. Credit: X Downing Street warned the public to be prepared for a significant loss of British lives, while the MP for Leicester East said a 'handful' of residents from the city were onboard. 'So far my understanding is that there are a handful of Leicester residents who were on board that flight - but I am still awaiting for official reports on that,' said Shivani Raja, a Conservative MP. Air India said 169 Indian nationals, seven Portuguese and one Canadian were also among the 242 on board. Eleven passengers were children. Mobile phone footage showed the plane flying low over the city before hitting the ground and bursting into flames. Indian police said the jet struck a hostel that was used by local doctors. The heat from burning fuel on the plane was so intense that it gave 'no chance' to save the lives of passengers on board, India's home minister said. Speaking on Thursday evening, Amit Shah told reporters: 'Aircraft's full fuel tank, intense heat gave no chance to save lives.' Part of the plane's fuselage was seen sticking out from the building, and plumes of thick black smoke could be seen rising over the city. Raju Prajapati, who lives just a few hundred metres from the crash site, told The Telegraph: 'We heard a huge explosion and rushed out of our homes. There were thick plumes of black smoke rising into the sky. People were shouting and running in all directions.' He said the smoke remained visible more than a mile away. The cause of the crash is unclear. Boeing has been involved in a series of incidents in recent years, including fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, but the Dreamliner had never crashed in 14 years of service. Thank you for following our live coverage. We will be back on Friday with the latest on the crash investigation. A US team of experts is travelling to India to help with the crash probe after India asked for assistance. The National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing and General Electric are all sending experts. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy earlier promised that the government would act quickly if it learnt about any safety issues with the Boeing 787, but it is still too early in the investigation. About 100 people gathered at a temple in the Neasden area of London on Thursday night, where much of the community has ties to the state where the flight crashed. Yogvivekdas Swami prayed for all those affected, including the people killed and injured on the ground and the teams that worked to rescue them. 'We will offer prayers for the unfortunate people who have passed away, the passengers, the crew, the pilots,' Mr Yogvivekdas said. 'Also for all their family members that they may find strength and courage at this very difficult and challenging time.' Tributes have been to Britons including a couple of wellness advocates who are believed to have been killed alongside more than 240 people in the crash. Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who run a spiritual wellness centre, were said to be among the dead. Mr Greenlaw is said to have appeared on ITV's This Morning earlier this year to talk about wellness. Former editor of the show Martin Frizell praised his 'vibrancy' and 'enthusiasm'. 'So so sad to hear that Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek and his partner are reported to be among the passengers and crew killed today on board the Air India flight bound for Gatwick,' he said in an Instagram post. '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. 'And I know for a fact that he hoped to use his appearance on This Morning to build his wellness brand, he had a great future ahead of him. 'Thoughts are with his family and friends and those of his partner Jamie.' The relatives of passengers and crew who died in the Air India crash are in mourning in Ahmedabad tonight. The parents of Arjun Patoliya, 37, were comforted by family members at the crash site. The relatives and friends of the sole survivor of the Air India plane crash gathered at a house in Leicester on Thursday evening. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was the only person on board the aircraft who survived. Nayan Kumar Ramesh said it was a 'miracle' that his brother Vishwash survived the crash but said he was 'still worried' about his other sibling who was also on board the flight. Bereaved relatives of those on board the Air India flight have gathered outside the post-mortem room at Ahmedabad's hospital. Bodies are being brought to the facility for identification usign DNA sampling. T. Thanglingo Haokip told BBC News his cousin, Singson, was cabin crew on Air India flight 171. 'Her parents are worried,' he said. 'She only has a mother, her father passed away. Her brother has cancer. She was the only breadwinner in the family. Her family was wholly dependent on her.' Air India has confirmed that 241 of the 242 passengers on board the flight died in the crash, making British man Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, the sole survivor. In a statement, the airline said: 'We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. 'The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital. The passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals and 1 Canadian national. 'The survivor is a British national of Indian origin. Air India offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. 'Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of all those affected, their families and loved ones. A team of caregivers from Air India is now in Ahmedabad to provide additional support. 'Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.' The chief executive and president of Boeing has vowed to assist the investigation into the crash. 'Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad,' Kelly Ortberg said. 'I have spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to offer our full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.' Mr Ortberg said Boeing will defer to India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to provide information about Air India Flight 171. The Federal Aviation Administration is engaged with Boeing and engine manufacturer GE Aerospace to review information as part of the investigation into the crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Sean Duffy, the US transport secretary, also said Washington 'will not hesitate to implement any safety recommendations that may arise. We will follow the facts and put safety first'. Mr Duffy said the agency is 'prepared to send additional resources to get the data we need to ensure the safety of the flying public'. A senior Indian police officer has said there could be more survivors from today's plane crash. 'Chances are that there might be more survivors among the injured who are being treated in hospital,' said Vidhi Chaudhary, who confirmed that Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British survivor, jumped out of the plane's emergency exit. Indian police have said that at least 260 people were killed in today's crash. There were 242 people onboard the Air India flight, with a British man thought to be the only survivor. 'The death toll in the plane crash is at present 260,' police commissioner Vidhi Chaudhary said, suggesting that at least 19 people were killed when the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner smashed into a medical staff hostel in Ahmedabad. A British man who survived the Air India plane crash called his dad from the runway to tell him that he had survived. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British citizen, is believed to be the sole survivor. He escaped through an emergency exit from seat 11A. Nayan, his brother, told Sky News that their father was on the phone with Vishwash while he was still on the runway. 'My dad called him,' Nayan said. 'And Vishwash said 'oh we're going to take off soon.' Two minutes later, Vishwash called his dad again - this time to say the plane had crashed and that he had survived. 'He video called my dad as he crashed and said 'Oh the plane's crashed. I don't know where my brother is. I don't see any other passengers. I don't know how I'm alive - how I exited the plane',' Nayan added. David Lammy has chaired a Cobra meeting about the plane crash in India, Sky News has reported. Cobra meetings involve senior government officials discussing the government's response to national emergencies. The heat from burning fuel on the plane was so intense that it gave 'no chance' to save the lives of passengers on board, India's home minister said. Speaking on Thursday evening, Amit Shah told reporters: 'Aircraft's full fuel tank, intense heat gave no chance to save lives.' Three more British victims have been named as a family who were living in Gloucester. The Gloucester Muslim Community said in a statement: 'GMBC extends its most sincere and deepest condolences to the Nanabawa family upon receiving the tragic news of the passing of: Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hana, and their beloved daughter.' Donald Trump said he has offered India help in responding to today's 'horrific' plane crash. Speaking to reporters at the White House, the US president said 'nobody had any idea what happened'. 'It looks like it was flying just fine,' Mr Trump said, adding that it was 'one of the worst crashes in aviation history'. It could take weeks, if not months, for the exact cause of the plane crash to become clear. But experts have already outlined a number of possible reasons why flight AI171 crashed in a ball of fire after less than a minute in the air. Prof John McDermid, Lloyd's Register chair of safety at the University of York, said: 'Take-off and landing are the most dangerous phases of flight – accidents from cruise are very unusual. 'However, that said, it's surprising that the accident occurred before the aircraft had even got to 200-metres altitude. 'Pilots can abort take-off until quite late in the take-off roll, so it seems like the problem occurred very suddenly in the final part of the take-off roll, or shortly after take-off, and was sufficiently serious to be unmanageable. An aviation expert has said that the position of the plane's wing flaps may have played a role in the crash. One video of the crash shows the plane descending, followed by a large explosion. 'When I'm looking at this, the undercarriage is still down but the flaps have been retracted,' aviation analyst Geoffrey Thomas told the BBC. Mr Thomas said it was very unusual for the plane's flaps to remain in line with the wing so soon after take-off. 'The undercarriage is normally retracted within 10-15 seconds, and the flaps are then retracted over a period of 10-15 minutes,' he explained. Credit: X Clothes from airline luggage were scattered across the side of a building after today's crash. A British couple believed to have been aboard the crashed Air India flight posted about their 'magical experience' in the country. Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who run a spiritual wellness centre and yoga studio, spoke of their love of India and the 'mind-blowing' experiences they had had just hours before the flight took off. Sitting beside his husband, Fiongal said: 'So it's our last night in India and we have had a magical experience, really – there have been some quite mind-blowing things that have happened.' Jamie said: 'We really have been on quite a journey, and then just spending the last night here in this amazing hotel, and we have just had the most delicious Tali food. It was a perfect way to round up the trip. Excited to share it all with you'. Credit: jamiermeek / Instagram The sole survivor of today's plane crash was sat next in seat 11A, next to the emergency exit. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh described being surrounded by bodies before standing up and running out of the plane. Downing Street has warned the public to be prepared for a significant loss of British lives following today's crash. Asked if the public should prepare for a significant loss of life, a No10 spokesman said: 'Yes.' They continued: 'As the PM said this morning, the scenes emerging of the London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city at Ahmedabad are devastating. 'Clearly this is a deeply distressing time for families. The situation is still unfolding.' No10 would not confirm reports that a British citizen had survived the crash. The MP for Leicester East has told the BBC that a 'handful of Leicester residents' were onboard the crashed plane. Shivani Raja said her community was 'really horrified and devastated waking up to such tragic news'. 'So far my understanding is that there are a handful of Leicester residents who were on board that flight - but I am still awaiting for official reports on that,' the Tory MP said. Credit: X/ShivAroor Campbell Wilson, the boss of Air India, has expressed his 'deep sorrow' following the plane crash in Ahmedabad. 'This is a difficult day for all of us at Air India,' he says. 'Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, their families and loved ones.' He said the 'injured passengers have been taken to hospital by local authorities to the nearest hospital'. However, there is only one known survivor at the moment. A British couple believed to be aboard the crashed Air India flight posted about their 'magical experience' in the country. Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who run a spiritual wellness centre and yoga studio, spoke of their love of the country and the 'mind-blowing' experiences they had had just hours before the flight took off. On Tuesday, the Greenlaw-Meeks had posted on their social media accounts from their boutique hotel in the city, The House of MG, talking about how they planned to create a 'vlog' documenting their time in the city and were excited to tell everyone about the details. Sitting beside his husband, Fiongal said: 'So it's our last night in India and we have had a magical experience really, there have been some quite mind-blowing things that have happened.' Jamie added: 'We really have been on quite a journey, and then just spending the last night here in this amazing hotel, and we have just had the most delicious Tali food. It was a perfect way to round up the trip. Excited to share it all with you'. The Foreign Office will deploy a team of civil servants to India to assist with the aftermath of this morning's crash, The Telegraph understands. Senior officials in the FCDO spoke with the British high commissioner in India, Lindy Cameron, a short while ago to discuss the UK government's response to the tragedy. Officials will soon be dispatched from the UK to help with the response on the ground in Ahmedabad, including helping the families of British victims. The Foreign Office's Global Response Centre, a 24-hour helpline for British people abroad, is handling communications with suspected victims' families in the meantime. A source said it was too early to confirm the names of British individuals on board the plane, but that the Government expected to be in contact with the families of victims later today. The Air India crash may have been caused by power or flight control lost, according to an international aviation attorney. Robert A. Clifford, who worked as the lead counsel in the crash on a Boeing 737 crash in Ethiopia six years ago that killed all 157 onboard, said: 'Review of available video and eyewitness information indicate some form of power or flight control loss.' Mr Clifford, senior partner at Clifford Law Offices in Chicago, added: 'The Indian government investigators should have flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder information within a couple of days that will provide vital information to try to get to the bottom of this deadly tragedy.' Outside the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, tense and grief-stricken relatives gathered, desperate for any word on their loved ones following the crash of the London-bound Air India flight. A man in his late forties broke down near the hospital gates, pleading with officials to let him through. 'My sister and brother-in-law were on the flight. Their seats 110 and 111 were confirmed,' he said. 'Our niece called from London to say: 'Mumma and Papa were on the plane.' 'We're from Naroda and have been moving from one checkpoint to another for over an hour and a half. No one is letting us enter the hospital or even wait nearby. We haven't come here for a picnic, we've lost our family.' Mahendra Vasandiya, 65, another relative of passengers on board, stood quietly among the crowd. 'My younger brother and his wife were travelling to London to see their daughter,' he said. 'I still have no information about them. No one is telling us anything.' Nearby, a woman clutched her phone, struggling to hold back tears. 'My sister-in-law and her husband were on that plane,' she said. 'Their daughter called me in tears from the UK to say they were coming to visit her. I didn't even know they were flying today.' A former aircraft accident investigator has said the crash site of the Gatwick-bound passenger plane is 'probably the most complex scene that I've seen pictures of'. Tim Atkinson told BBC News: 'My initial thoughts are this will be the most incredibly complex and difficult crash site for the investigators, and more immediately for the emergency service workers to be dealing with. 'All manner of hazards, even just to the individuals working there, before you begin to think of the air accident investigators' task of recovering the flight recorders and then the physical remains of the aircraft.' He added: 'It is probably the most complex scene that I've seen pictures of, I'm very glad I've never seen one myself in real life as complex and difficult as this. This is going to be a very lengthy and extraordinarily difficult and awkward crash site for those working on it to be involved in.' At least 204 bodies have been recovered from the crash site, police said. GS Malik, the Ahmedabad police commissioner, said rescue workers were still searching through the debris, but there were no reports of survivors being found. The bodies, he added, included both passengers and those killed on the ground. At least 41 people were injured, but it is unclear whether they were passengers or people on the ground. King Charles has said he is 'desperately shocked' by the Air India plane crash, with passengers including 53 Britons and one Canadian. 'My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning,' the King said in a statement. '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. '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.' Air India flight 171 was scheduled to make a 9-hour 50-minute non-stop journey to Gatwick when it took off from Ahmedabad at 9.09am BST with 242 people on board. Instead, less than a minute later, it hit the ground just a few hundred yards from the end of the runway, exploding in a fireball that could be seen from miles around. In those fateful moments, the highly-experienced pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, and his co-pilot Clive Kundar issued a mayday call, but after reaching a maximum altitude of barely 400ft above the runway, all contact with the aircraft was lost. The flight never reached the right height during its short trajectory. Video footage shows the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner appearing to suffer a catastrophic loss of power as it falls to the ground, still in its nose-up take-off angle, unable to stay airborne. India's foreign ministry said 'a lot of people' had been lost in today's plane crash. Speaking this afternoon, Randhir Jaiswal, a foreign ministry spokesman, said there had been a 'very tragic accident'. 'The rescue operations are on. We need to wait a little more time for exact details to be put out,' he said. He added: 'We have lost a lot of people. We extend our deepest condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones.' The wreckage of the Boeing 787 has been pictured scattered across the ground in Ahmedabad as emergency services continue their response. The picture below shows part of the plane's registration 'VT-ANB' on the wing. Ahmedabad's police chief has said there are 'casualties' on the ground where a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed on its way to London. 'Since the airplane has fallen on an area which was residential and had some offices, there are more casualties as well,' city police commissioner GS Malik said this afternoon. There appear to be no survivors in the Air India plane crash, a city police commissioner told the Associated Press. 'There appears to be no survivor in the crash,' city police commissioner GS Malik said this afternoon. Flights are resuming at the airport in Ahmedabad after the deadly crash. The Indian civil aviation ministry confirmed operations have started again as of 4.05pm (11.35am BST) . 'Flight safety protocols are being followed with utmost care,' the ministry added. Gatwick said a reception centre was being set up for relatives of passengers on board the doomed Air India flight. In a statement posted on social media, it said: 'We can confirm flight AI171 that was involved in an accident on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today (12 June) was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25 BST. 'The Boeing 787-8 aircraft had 242 passengers and crew members on board. 'London Gatwick is liaising closely with Air India and a reception centre for relatives of those on board is being set up where information and support will be provided.' It added that Air India has set up a dedicated passenger hotline. More than 100 bodies were brought to a hospital in India's Ahmedabad after an Air India plane crashed on Thursday, local police told Reuters. Credit: X / @Nisha_gowru The charred remains of bodies have been seen at the crash site. Images, posted on social media, showed the chaotic scenes of emergency services working through the rubble and burnt wreckage, while the plane's fuselage stuck out from the site of the building. India's health ministry confirmed that 'many were killed' in the tragedy, but there has been no official comment on the death toll. Several people are believed to have also been killed when the plane smashed into an accomodation housing doctors. US planemaker Boeing has said it was 'aware of initial reports' about the crash of a London-bound Air India flight. It said it was 'working to gather more information' on the incident, but did not comment further at this time. According to data logs, the Boeing 787-8 remained on the ground or taxiing slowly for over four minutes after first registering on public trackers. A sharp increase in speed to 174 knots was recorded at 1.38pm local time, with an altitude of just 625 feet, a height far below standard for a commercial aircraft several minutes into departure. No further altitude gains were recorded. The data, according to experts, has raised questions about whether the aircraft experienced a failure to climb, lost lift, or suffered another critical fault. Lt Col John R. Davidson, a former US Air Force pilot, aviation safety consultant, and editor of Felons Assistance, said the plane appears to have reached take-off speed, but not altitude. 'There are a number of possible scenarios: thrust or engine performance issues, excessive aircraft weight, poor trim or flap configuration, or a more critical failure that affected the aircraft's ability to climb. Weather, windshear or even bird strike can't be ruled out either at this early stage.' 'The low-altitude, high-speed reading at the final moment might indicate a steep nose-down trajectory or a stall event immediately following take-off,' he added. A woman has described how her son, who was inside the hostel when the plane hit, jumped from a window and survived. The building was reportedly full of doctors, from a nearby medical centre, eating their lunch when the Boeing Dreamliner smashed into it. 'My son had gone to the hostel during lunch break, and the plane crashed there. My son is safe, and I have spoken to him. He jumped from the second floor, so he suffered some injuries,' Ramila, who only gave her first name, told the Ani news agency outside the civil hospital in Ahmedabad. 'We heard a huge explosion and rushed out of our homes,' Raju Prajapati, who lives just a few hundred metres from the crash site, told The Telegraph. 'There were thick plumes of black smoke rising into the sky. People were shouting and running in all directions,' he added. Mr Prajapati described the chaos and panic as emergency services raced to the site. 'Ambulance after ambulance has been arriving,' he said. 'The police and Army have cordoned off the area and are not allowing anyone near the wreckage. There is panic and confusion. We are about two kilometres away now, and even here, the smoke is still visible.' Narendra Modi, India's prime minister, said he was shocked and saddened by the crash of a London-bound passenger plane in western India. 'The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words,' Mr Modi wrote on X. 'In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it,' he said, adding he had 'been in touch with ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected'. Boeing shares fell sharply after one of its Air India planes crashed shortly after take-off. The planemaker's stock sank 7.2pc in premarket trading in New York after the crash, which looks likely to become the worst involving its most advanced 787 wide-body aircraft. The company has been involved in a series of incidents in recent years, including fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. A Boeing 737 MAX 9 run by Alaska Airlines suffered a mid-air blowout last year, forcing pilots to scramble to land the plane safely. A preliminary investigation found it was the result of its door plug missing four bolts. Other airlines later reported finding loose bolts on multiple Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft. Boeing suffered its second biggest annual loss in its 109-year history last year, taking its total losses since 2019 to more than $35bn. Shares have fallen 48pc during that time. Fatalities had become a rarity in Indian commercial aviation – in line with the global trend of improving safety. The last major crash of this kind was in August 2020, when an Air India Express Boeing 737 skidded off the end of the runway at Kozhikode International Airport, killing 21 of the 190 passengers and crew. The downed Air India jet in Ahmedabad today had 242 people on board. While we do not have confirmed casualty statuses, the incident has the potential to prove historically deadly. It could make 2025 India's most lethal year since 1996, etched in painful memory by Charkhi Dadri, the worst mid-air collision in aviation history, which claimed the lives of all 349 on board the Saudi Boeing 747 and Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907. The incident prompted a renewed focus on safety in India, its governing body subsequently pioneering the mandatory implementation of airborne collision avoidance systems (ACAS). This crash could also push 2025's global commercial aviation fatality total past that of the whole of 2024, barely 5 and a half months into the year. The plane was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who is a line training captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience. The co-pilot, First Officer Clive Kundar, has also previously completed 1,100 in the air. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his thoughts were with the passengers and families of those on the Air India flight. 'The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating,' he said. 'I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.' The plane crashed on a hostel building used by doctors, reports Reuters. Pictures from those inside show the plane having come through the ceiling. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has described the news of the crash of an Air India plane bound for Gatwick Airport as 'heartbreaking'. In a message on X, Mrs Badenoch said: 'My thoughts are with all those affected - especially the families of those on board, and the emergency teams responding to what appears to be a horrifying tragedy.' Ahmedabad is the main city in Modi's home state of Gujarat. The airport has since confirmed it has suspended all flight operations with immediate effect. Air India confirmed the Boeing 787-8 flight to Gatwick was carrying 242 passengers and crew members - made up of 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals. 'The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals,' a spokesman said. 'Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.' The Foreign Office said: 'We are aware of a plane crash in Ahmedabad. The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved.' The plane had 53 Britons on board, it has been reported. The rest of the passengers were made up of 169 Indians, one Canadian and seven Portuguese. The 787 Dreamliner is a widebody, twin-engine plane. This is the first crash ever of a Boeing 787 aircraft, according to the Aviation Safety Network database. The aircraft was introduced in 2009 and more than 1,000 have been delivered to dozens of airlines, according to the flightradar24 website. According to air traffic control at Ahmedabad airport, the aircraft departed at 1.39pm local time (9.09am BST) from runway 23. It gave a 'mayday' call, signalling an emergency, but there was no response from the aircraft thereafter. Flightradar24 also said that it received the last signal from the aircraft seconds after it took off. 'The aircraft involved is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration VT-ANB,' it said. Thick plumes of smoke from the crash site were visible from more than 1km distance, triggering panic in surrounding areas. Emergency response teams, including the fire brigade, immediately rushed to the scene. Authorities are yet to confirm the extent of the damage or casualties, and further details are awaited. Initial reports suggest that the Air India aircraft crashed in a densely populated area near the airport. In the moments following the crash, local residents rushed to the site to help passengers and assist with rescue efforts. Credit: X Air India confirmed Flight 171 from the western city of Ahmedabad to London Gatwick had crashed in a 'tragic accident'. Natarajan Chandrasekaran chairman said in a statement: '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.' Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he was 'shocked and saddened' at the crash. India's aviation minster said his 'thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families'. 'I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action,' he said in a statement. 'Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site,' he added. The plane was due to land at 6.25pm local time, Gatwick has confirmed. The plane crashed less than a minute after take-off, flight data has revealed. Signal was lost from the aircraft at 1.39pm (9.09am BST) local time after it had climbed to just 635 feet. An aircraft bound for London crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday morning. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The number of casualties is currently unknown. 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Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
What we know so far after Gatwick-bound plane crashes in India
Only one passenger has reportedly survived after a plane bound for Gatwick Airport crashed shortly after take-off in India. The Air India aircraft departed from Ahmedabad airport in Gujarat state with more than 240 people on board, including 53 British nationals, on Thursday. Here the PA news agency takes a look at what we know so far about the events. – What happened? Air India's flight 171, from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, took off at 1.38pm local time (9.08am BST), according to the airline. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft crashed in a residential area called Meghani Nagar five minutes after taking off, the director general of the directorate of civil aviation, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, told the Associated Press (AP). A video of the crash circulating online showed the aircraft flying over a residential area before disappearing behind trees, followed by a huge explosion and large plumes of black smoke. Images of the aftermath of the crash showed parts of the plane embedded into B J Medical College as firefighters continued to tackle the smoke. Pieces of the aircraft's landing gear, fuselage and tail could all be seen protruding from the building. – Who was on board? The plane was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, according to Air India. The airline said 169 passengers were Indian nationals, 53 were British, one was Canadian and seven were Portuguese. – How many casualties have there been? Officials initially said it appeared as though all those on board died but The Hindustan Times reported that one Briton has survived. The outlet said 40-year-old British man Vishwash Kumar Ramesh survived the crash, telling the newspaper: 'Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.' Divyansh Singh, vice president of the Federation of All India Medical Association, told AP at least five medical students had been killed and around 50 were injured after the plane collided with the college. – What have witnesses described? A nearby resident present at the scene described 'many bodies lying on the ground' after the incident. He wore a surgical mask during the translated interview that aired on BBC News as smoke appeared to billow behind him and people in military uniform and masks could be seen walking around. The man, who was not named, told the reporter: 'I was sitting at home, there was a loud noise, it felt like an earthquake. 'I came out and saw smoke, I didn't realise it was a plane crash, then I came here and I found out and I saw the crashed plane – there were many bodies lying on the ground.' – What caused the crash? It is not yet known what the cause of the accident was. Tim Atkinson, a former aircraft accident investigator, told the BBC: 'The field is completely open as to possible causation here.' A former pilot said the crash may have been caused by a bird strike. Saurabh Bhatnagar told Indian news TV channel New Delhi Television the incident appears to involve 'multiple bird hits'. He said: 'It looks, prima facie, like a case of multiple bird hits wherein both the engines have lost power.' Bird strikes are defined as a collision between a bird and an aircraft which is in flight, taking off or landing. A large flock of birds entering an aircraft engine can cause power loss. Paul Williams, professor of atmospheric science at the University of Reading, said the weather conditions at the airport when the crash happened 'appear to have been very good' as it was a 'dry and sunny day' in Ahmedabad with 'good visibility' and 'no bad weather in the vicinity'. 'There is no indication at this stage that turbulence or other weather conditions were a factor in the crash,' he said. – How have the airline and airports involved responded? Air India set up a dedicated passenger hotline number, 1800 5691 444, to provide more information, as its chief executive Campbell Wilson expressed his 'deep sorrow'. Tata Group, the parent company of the airline, said it would provide 10 million rupees (around £86,000) to the families of those who were killed in the crash. The company said it would also cover the medical costs of those injured and provide support in the 'building up' of the medical college the plane crashed into. Following the incident, all flight operations at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad were suspended but 'limited flight operations' resumed hours later, with passengers advised to contact airlines for the latest flight schedules. The AI171 flight had been due to land at Gatwick at 6.25pm. Stewart Wingate, the airport's chief executive, said a reception centre for relatives of those on board was being set up where information and support will be provided. – How has the UK responded? The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has stood up a crisis team in Delhi and London, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said. UK officials are being deployed to India to support the investigation into the crash. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch offered its assistance to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau in India, and will have 'expert status' in the safety investigation as UK citizens were on board. British nationals who require consular assistance or have concerns about friends or family were advised to call 020 7008 5000.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Fed-up resident fights back against invasive iguanas using special rifle: 'I have some skills and some tools to help eradicate this problem'
An admirer of the owl family that found shelter and nesting in the burrow hole next door, John Johnson was perturbed when he saw an iguana climbing out of the very same owl hole while the owl parents "were screeching and divebombing it," per a Palm Beach Post report. Divebombing is a defensive behavior owls may exhibit when defending their nest or young, according to Seven Days. This could only mean one thing for the parents: Their eggs or baby owls were in danger. The owl family put up a tough fight against their intruder, but the deed had already been done. The owls eventually surrendered their nest and fled to find a new home. This incident fueled a fire within Johnson, who learned that iguanas had no natural predators on Marco Island, Florida. In fact, black spiny-tailed iguanas and green iguanas are persistent invasive species in the region. Female iguanas can lay up to 70 eggs every year, according to Focusing on Wildlife, which contributes to their rapid growth on the island. Iguanas tear up native plants and eat the eggs of gopher tortoises — one of the oldest living species on the planet, currently with a threatened or endangered conservation status. Black spiny-tailed iguanas will "eat almost anything they can get in their mouths," said Dr. Jerry Jackson, professor emeritus at Florida Gulf Coast University, per Palm Beach Post. So, Johnson created Down Goes Iguana, a family-run agency dedicated to hunting down iguanas in Florida, with a heavy concentration on the Marco Island region. He began operating with the blessing of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Using air guns like the .25 caliber Brocock Sniper XR, a short air rifle used for small game hunting or target practice, Johnson hunts down iguanas for both customers and the state, taking down a total of 730 iguanas in 2024. While Johnson recognizes that he may not be able to eliminate the invasive species from the island, he's making a valiant effort. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Invasive species disrupt local ecosystems, threatening native wildlife species and their habitats. Invasive plant species operate similarly, taking over land from native plant species and outcompeting the latter for nutrients and resources. Invasive species grow quickly and aggressively and can pose a great headache for homeowners looking to eliminate them from their lawns. You can limit the spread of invasive plant species in your lawn by planting more native plants to support the local ecosystem's balance. Native plant lawns attract pollinators, whose pollination services protect the food supply and provide food and shelter for local wildlife species. The best part is that native lawns are slower-growing and tend to require less water than lawns containing invasive plant species, saving you time and money on lawn maintenance and water bills. Buffalo grass and clover — both drought-resistant lawn options that require less frequent mowing — are alternative lawn replacement options that can save you time and money on yard work. Invasive species may be persistent, but not if humans can help it. "I'm … vested in the fact that this is not good and I have some skills and some tools to help eradicate this problem," Johnson said, per Palm Beach Post. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
