Marcos extends sympathies after Air India plane crash

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday sent his condolences to the Indian government and the families of the passengers of a London-bound Air India plane that crashed minutes after taking off from the city of Ahmedabad.

“Filipinos are deeply saddened by the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad. On behalf of the Filipino people, I extend our most heartfelt condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India, and especially to the families and loved ones of all those who lost their lives,” Marcos said in a social media post.

“Our thoughts are with every family, across India and beyond, grieving this profound loss. We stand in full solidarity with the people of India in this moment of sorrow. May the victims be remembered with dignity, and may the ongoing efforts to understand this tragedy bring comfort and clarity to those left behind,” the President added.

According to a Reuters report, at least 30 of the 242 people on board died.

Police said the plane crashed into a residential area near the airport.

The passengers included 217 adults, 11 children and two infants, a source told Reuters. Of them, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, Air India said. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News