Air India crash kills 265 in Ahmedabad takeoff tragedy

Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his condolences to Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. The flight, headed to London, crashed into a medical college just moments after takeoff on Thursday, killing at least 265 people. The crash caused a huge fireball, devastating the area.

In his message, Xi Jinping conveyed his shock over the heavy loss of life. On behalf of the Chinese government and its people, he sent deep sympathies to the families of those who died and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, according to China’s state source.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang also offered his condolences to Prime Minister Modi. The Air India flight AI 171 was carrying 169 Indian passengers, 53 British, one Canadian, seven Portuguese nationals, and 12 crew members. Tragically, 241 people on board and 24 on the ground lost their lives. Only one British passenger survived the accident.

President Xi additionally sent a message of sympathy to Britain’s King Charles III, expressing sorrow over the British victims. Premier Li extended his condolences to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as well.

This rare gesture reflects the shared grief and solidarity between China, India, and the United Kingdom in the wake of this devastating tragedy.