53 BRITONS ON BOARD AIR INDIA FLIGHT: UK MOURNS AS COUNTRY REELS FROM DISASTER

AIR TRAGEDY • Prime Minister Keir Starmer describes "devastating scenes" as King Charles III is kept updated in real-time. UK media provide live coverage of the tragedy that claimed the lives of 53 British citizens on the London-bound Boeing 787.

The aviation disaster in India is a tragedy that deeply affects the United Kingdom. On board the Air India flight that crashed on takeoff from Ahmedabad airport were 53 British citizens. The aircraft, a Boeing 787 "Dreamliner", was en route to London and was scheduled to land at Gatwick Airport, the low-cost carrier hub south of the capital.

Non-stop TV and Newspaper Coverage

As soon as the news broke through agencies, and initial videos circulated online, all British media outlets interrupted their regular programming. Indefinite special reports and live coverage were dedicated to the tragedy, which marks one of the country's worst aviation disasters. Sky News initiated an "information marathon" from early morning, and the BBC is providing extensive coverage with dozens of news updates. Even the Financial Times (FT), an economic newspaper typically detached from breaking crime news, featured the story prominently on its homepage.

Reactions from King Charles III and the Prime Minister

The Comcast-owned TV channel gathered the government's initial reactions. Prime Minister Keir Starmer commented: "The images emerging of a plane bound for London with many British citizens on board crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating." He added that he is being kept constantly updated: "My thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this time of profound suffering."

From Buckingham Palace, spokespersons for King Charles III and Queen Camilla announced that the monarchs are being continuously informed about the disaster.