By Devin Watkins
Vatican Cit, June 12: Pope Leo XIV on June 12 expressed his condolences and prayed for the victims of a plane crash that killed more than 200 people in Ahmedabad, western India.
Air India flight 171 took off from the airport in the commercial capital of Gujarat state on June 12 with 242 people aboard, bound for London Gatwick Airport.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a residential area near the airport soon after takeoff, reportedly into the state-run B.J. Medical College hostel, a residence for doctors.
Pope Leo XIV has sent a message to express his “heartfelt condolences” to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the crash.
In a telegram signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Pope said he was “deeply saddened by the tragedy involving an Air India aircraft near Ahmedabad.”
Pope Leo assured everyone affected of his prayers for those involved in the recovery efforts, and commended the souls of the deceased to “the mercy of the Almighty.”
The Air India plane was carrying 169 Indians, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian. Passengers included 217 adults, 11 children, and 2 infants, according to Reuters news agency.
Images shared on social media and local television channels showed smoke billowing from the crash site, as well as debris on fire.
Rescue workers appeared at the scene shortly after the crash, and video showed stretchers transporting the injured.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the crash “heartbreaking beyond words”.
He said the tragedy in Ahmedabad “has stunned and saddened us,” expressing his closeness to everyone affected by the crash.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement that the incident was “devastating.”
Britain enjoys close ties with India, and nearly 1.9 million people of Indian descent live in the country, according to the 2021 UK census.
Source: Vaticannews.va