New Delhi, June 13: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday expressed deep sorrow over the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 241 lives.

In an official statement, he extended condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Japan to the families of the deceased and wished a swift recovery for the injured.

“I am in deep sorrow by hearing the news of the loss of many precious lives in the airplane accident in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. On behalf of the Government of Japan and people, I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives and their bereaved families. I also pray for the speedy recovery of those who were injured,” said Ishiba

In addition, Prime Minister Ishiba issued messages of condolences to the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Canada.

In what is being described as one of the worst aviation disasters in Indian history, the aircraft, operating as Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London, Gatwick, plunged into a residential complex near BJ Medical College, killing 241 people on board.

The ill-fated flight had 230 passengers, 10 cabin crew, and two pilots. According to officials, only one person, a British national of Indian origin seated in 11A, survived the crash and is currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

The passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.

The impact triggered a massive blaze, with thick plumes of smoke visible across the city. Emergency services, including fire brigades and National Disaster Response Force teams, rushed to the site of the crash. Many people on the ground who were in the residential complex near BJ Medical College, are also feared dead.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the Air India plane crash site. He arrived in the city to take stock of the situation, a day after the deadly plane crash.

PM Modi expressed profound grief and called the tragedy “heart-breaking beyond words.”

Earlier on Thursday, as the tragedy occurred, several world leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, expressed grief and offered condolences to the people affected by the tragic plane crash.

New Delhi, June 13: A doctor couple’s dreams of a new beginning together as a family in UK turned into a nightmare and their last trip together as the ill-fated flight that was to take them to London crashed seconds after take-off on Thursday.

Now, the young couple from Rajasthan’s last selfie with their children has emerged and is breaking hearts.

The Air India 171 flight to London-Gatwick that the doctor couple and their three little children were on, took off from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday and was in the air for 32 seconds before it failed to climb further and descended rapidly and exploded into a fireball after hitting a building, killing all but one of the 242 people aboard the plane and numerous others on the ground.

According to NDTV, doctor Komi Vyas, who used to work in a hospital in Udaipur, had quit her job and was moving to join her husband, Dr Prateek Joshi, in London with their three children. Dr Joshi had moved to London some time ago and had returned to Banswara in Rajasthan earlier this week to take the family with him.

“They left for Ahmedabad yesterday to take the flight to London. Prateek had come here just two days ago to take his wife and children with him. Several other members of both families went to see them off,” Dr Joshi’s cousin, Nayan told NDTV.

The selfie that emerged on Friday, taken by Dr Joshi on the ill-fated aircraft, shows him and his wife seated on one side, smiling, and their young twin boys Nakul and Pradyut (5) and elder daughter Miraya (8) sitting across the aisle.

The joy on their faces was infectious as the family looked forward to a new life in London together.

Now, the last selfie taken by the family is all that is left as a reminder of a beautiful yet short life they had lived together before they were snatched away by the cruel hand of fate.

London/New Delhi, June 12: Several global leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, on Thursday expressed shock and grief after an Air India flight bound for London, carrying over 240 passengers crashed shortly after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport, triggering a massive emergency response. The incident occurred near the Meghaninagar area of the city.

“The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating. I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time,” Starmer posted on X.

At least 169 Indians and 53 British nationals were travelling in Air India’s flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick airport.

British Defence Secretary David Lammy also expressed grief at the devastating plane crash and offered condolences to those affected.

“Deeply saddened by news of a devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. My thoughts are with all those affected. The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support,” Lammy posted on X.

British Conservative Party MP Priti Patel urged the UK government to work with the Indian authorities to support the affected British families.

“My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the plane crash at Ahmedabad and with the emergency services at the scene. This will be a worrying time for the families of those on board. As further information comes forward, the Government needs to ensure it is working with Indian authorities to support British families affected,” said Patel.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also took to social media, offering his deepest condolences on the tragic accident.

“Horrible news of a passenger plane crash in India. My deepest condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the entire people of India on this tragic day. Our thoughts are with all victims’ relatives and close ones in India, the UK, Portugal, and Canada. We share your shock and grief on this tragic day. We all pray for as many lives to be saved as possible and wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” Zelensky posted on X.

Russia’s Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov termed the accident as a major catastrophe.

“Heartbreaking news is coming from Ahmedabad. My heartfelt sympathy to the families and near ones of the victims and to all Indian people and the Government of India over this tragic major catastrophe!”, he said.