Southampton community’s ‘sadness and shock’ over Air India crash

A community is “saddened and shocked” after being touched by the Air India crash, a religious leader has said.

More than 200 people died when the London-bound flight hit a residential area in Ahmedabad just seconds after taking off at about 09:00 BST.

At least two of the victims were known to members of Southampton’s Vedic Society Hindu Temple, community members said.

Temple president, Sanjay Chandarana, said people had gathered there to pray for the passengers and their families.

He said: “It’s a close community… It’s so personal for everyone to see the crash.

“The temple doors are open. We pray together, we stand together and we are standing beside them.

“So may God give blessings and peace to people who lost their lives and comfort and strength to the families.”

The president, who is from the Indian state of Gujarat where the crash occurred, said Air India was close to people’s hearts.

He said: “It’s a lifeline. It brings the two continents together, the two countries together, culture, tradition.”

More than 30 people sang and chanted as part of a vigil at the temple on Thursday evening.

Community members said at least two of the victims had recently lived and worked in the south of England.

There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian on the flight.

At least 50 injured medical students are being treated in hospital after the plane crashed into a doctors’ hostel in the western Indian city.