British Royal Family to wear black armbands in tribute to Ahmedabad Air India crash victims
London: In a solemn gesture of solidarity, the British royal family will wear black armbands and observe a minute's silence during the annual Trooping the Colour parade on Saturday, honouring the memory of those who perished in the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon. The disaster claimed at least 241 lives, including 169 Indians and 53 British nationals, sparking global mourning.
According to a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace, King Charles has directed changes to his birthday parade “as a mark of respect for the lives lost, the families in mourning, and all communities affected by this awful tragedy.”
Issuing a heartfelt statement, King Charles said, “My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad. Our special prayers and deepest sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations.”
He also praised the "heroic efforts" of emergency responders who rushed to the scene amid massive plumes of smoke and intense fire. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local fire brigades worked through the wreckage.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed deep sorrow, posting on X: “Today is a truly heartbreaking day for many British and Indian families. I want to extend my heartfelt sympathies to all those impacted by the horrific plane crash.”
In the aftermath, both the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have offered support in the probe, which is being led by Indian aviation authorities.
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Vehicle catches fire during AAI building inauguration near Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): A car parked at an AAI building inauguration venue caught fire on Saturday, triggering brief panic, officials said.
The vehicle was completely gutted in the flames. However, no loss of life or injuries were reported, they said.
The incident occurred during the inauguration programme of the AAI's new building located on the Devanahalli--Sulibele Road near here. The programme was attended by the Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
A fire brigade deployed at the venue immediately reached the spot and doused the flames. Officials said the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, and an investigation is underway.
