China’s Xi sends condolences to PM Modi, King Charles over Air India plane crash

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday extended condolences to his Indian counterpart Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the deadly Air India plane crash, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported.

Xi also sent condolences to Britain’s King Charles III, as the London-bound flight from Ahmedabad was carrying 230 passengers to London’s Gatwick when it crashed shortly after take-off on Thursday afternoon.

The Boeing 787-8 aircraft was carrying 242 passengers and crew members. The passengers comprised 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese and one Canadian. There was only one survivor — Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a British national.

There has been an outpouring of grief from scores of world leaders in the wake of the catastrophic plane crash, one of India’s worst aviation disasters. Apart from those on the doomed flight, there were several killed and injured on the ground, as the aircraft ploughed into a doctor’s hostel in a residential area in Ahmedabad.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the crash of the plane carrying several British nationals was “devastating” and his “thoughts and heart” are with those affected.

In a statement on X, King Charles said, “My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning. 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.”

US President Donald Trump described the crash as “one of the worst in aviation history” and expressed readiness to help India in any capacity.

“The plane crash was terrible. I’ve already told them (India), anything we can do. It’s a big country, a strong country, and they’ll handle it, I’m sure,” Trump said at the White House.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “devastated” to learn about the crash that had one Canadian national among those on board.

“My thoughts are with the loved ones of everyone on board. Canada’s transportation officials are in close contact with counterparts and I am receiving regular updates as the response to this tragedy unfolds,” he tweeted.