Michelle Dewberry has branded the fallout from Thursday's Air India plane crash as "deeply worrying" after a London-bound vessel crashed in the city of Ahmedabad.

Local authorities have declared a major emergency following the crash. It's been reported that at least 240 people were on board.

Among the passengers were 169 Indian citizens, 53 British, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese, according to Air India.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner veered back to earth in the densely populated Meghani area of the city just minutes after leaving the runway around 1pm local time.

A diagram of the Air India crash on Thursday

Footage of the crash soon emerged on social media and was shared by news outlets, showing plumes of thick black smoke rising up to the sky from the site.

A spokesman from Air India said: "Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, June 12, 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates."

India's Health Ministry has confirmed that "many were killed" but has not provided further details and specifics, according to the Daily Mail.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also issued a statement. "The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating," he began.

People gather near the site where an Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad

REUTERS

"I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time."

As updates from the incident continued to emerge on Thursday morning, Michelle shared an emotional post of her own dedicated to those impacted.

Revealing her own personal connection to the region where the crash happened, Michelle opened up on X: "One of my oldest friends is Gujarati and flies this route often.

"It is a deeply worrying time while people find out whether their loved ones are caught up in this. How devastating.

Michelle Dewberry issued a statement following the crash

"Thoughts with everyone affected," the Dewbs & Co host signed off, followed by a prayer and a love heart emoji.

As well as Starmer, several other British political figures have shared their reactions to the horror as they await further updates from Indian authorities.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "Deeply saddened by news of a devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. My thoughts are with all those affected. The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support."

Elsewhere, Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel wrote on social media: "My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the plane crash at Ahmedabad and with the emergency services at the scene.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has issued a statement on the tragedy

"This will be a worrying time for the families of those on board. As further information comes forward, the Government needs to ensure it is working with Indian authorities to support British families affected."

The Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, similarly took to social media to express: "My thoughts are with all those affected, especially the families of those on board, and the emergency teams responding to what appears to be a horrifying tragedy."

Michelle Dewberry says one of her closest friends is from the region

And Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice echoed the sentiment. "Terrible news of the Air India flight that has crashed and our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved," he wrote.