Tributes Paid to Victims of Air India Crash in Ahmedabad: London and India Observe Mourning

In a demonstration of solidarity, the Indian diaspora in London gathered outside the Indian High Commission to remember the victims of the Air India plane crash that originated in Ahmedabad. Members of the community placed floral tributes as a symbol of their sorrow. Kunal, a representative of the Indian community, originally from Gujarat, expressed his condolences and offered prayers for the deceased, hoping for eternal peace and an end to such tragedies. Parallel to the London vigil, various regions across India held their own memorial events. In Haridwar, Uttarakhand, hundreds gathered near the Ganga River to offer prayers and light lamps in honor of the victims. In Tamil Nadu, the Rameswaram People’s Protection Council conducted a heartfelt tribute at Agni Theertham beach in Pamban. A solemn condolence meeting was organized at King George Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The accident involved Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 aircraft, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The flight was bound for London’s Gatwick Airport. Out of the 242 people on board, only one person survived the crash. The plane initiated its departure from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23, issuing a Mayday call before crashing outside the airport, resulting in significant smoke. The aircraft carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national.