Ahmedabad aircraft crash: ‘We grieve collectively,’ says U.Ok. Deputy PM Rayner at vigil for victims

U.Ok. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner addresses a multi-faith occasion in commemoration of the victims of the Air India aircraft crash in Ahmedabad final week, at India Home in London.
| Picture Credit score: PTI

The UK and India are united of their grief for all these impacted by the Ahmedabad-London Air India aircraft crash final week, Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has stated.

At a multi-faith memorial service organised by India Home in London on Monday (June 16, 2025), Ms. Rayner was joined by fellow parliamentarians, International Workplace officers and members of the Indian group as they paid solemn tributes to the lives misplaced and efforts of speedy deployment groups on the bottom.

The occasion was marked by non secular reflections from all main faiths in addition to floral tributes by the various congregation.

“What struck me over the previous couple of days is that the U.Ok. and India could also be two nations separated by an unlimited distance, however within the ways in which really matter we’re so very, very shut,” Ms. Rayner stated in her tackle on the Excessive Fee of India.

“We mark our bond right this moment in a easy and profound method. We grieve collectively. I might like to increase my condolences to all people who’s right here right this moment, and past the Excessive Fee. The UK is with you and can proceed to assist you,” she stated.

Air India Flight 171 certain for London Gatwick crashed final Thursday (shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, with all however considered one of its passengers and crew among the many 271 useless, together with on-ground fatalities. 

The Indian Excessive Commissioner to the U.Ok., Vikram Doraiswami, expressed his gratitude for the UK’s assist by a time of “profound grief and abiding shock”.

“This tragedy introduced residence to all of us the suddenness with which life might be extinguished,” stated Mr. Doraiswami.

“Other than a way of shock and disbelief, we grieve for the 271 lives misplaced and the numerous, many extra households and mates they go away behind. So many lives which were deeply and irrevocably affected that it’s onerous to think about how something we could say or do can supply consolation,” he stated.

The commemorative gathering ‘In Eternal Reminiscence’ coincided with a debate within the Home of Commons on the ‘Air India Airplane Crash’, with International Workplace Minister Hamish Falconer updating Parliament on the efforts being made to help British nationals impacted by the tragedy.

“With an Indian diaspora about 2 million robust right here in Britain, and with a very distinguished Gujarati group, we really feel the ache of this tragedy collectively. It reminds us not solely of the deep private ties between our folks however of the energy of our partnership with India — a partnership constructed on belief, shared values and mutual assist in instances of disaster,” stated Falconer.

His assertion famous the “ache and frustration” felt by households who haven’t but been in a position to lay their family members to relaxation.

“The Indian authorities are working across the clock, with UK assist, on this. Sadly, these processes take time, however it is vital that they’re completed correctly to keep away from inflicting extra ache for households,” he stated.

Shadow overseas secretary Priti Patel pointed to experiences of British households claiming a scarcity of UK management and medical groups on the bottom in India.

“Final Thursday was a darkish, unhappy and traumatic day for India, the UK and all these affected, wherever they’re on the planet. I’m certain that I converse for the entire Home after I say that we stand with them in looking for solutions; in working to present them the assist that they want; and in mourning the unhappy deaths of their family members,” stated the British Gujarati Opposition Conservative MP.

Mr. Falconer stated the International Workplace groups “will study classes with every step” and that officers had been dispatched to help British nationals with consular help in going by the traumatic course of at hospitals in Gujarat.

“The household liaison officers and the consular employees on the bottom try to face with British nationals throughout a few of their darkest moments, and their work could be very onerous,” added Mr. Falconer.

The ministerial assertion additionally reiterated that the Indian Plane Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) had accepted the UK’s supply of assist, and a crew of British inspectors are actually on web site.  “I won’t remark an excessive amount of on the continued investigation. It is going to be a fancy operation, however I do know that our Air Accidents Investigation Department is among the many greatest on the planet and can do every little thing it could,” added Falconer.