THE number of British nationals who killed following the deadly Easter Sunday (21) attacks in Sri Lanka has climbed to eight.
At least eight UK citizens including two with joint US citizenship were killed in the island nation following the series brutal attacks, media reports said today (22).
Sri Lankan authorities believe that 36 foreign citizens were among the dead.
However, the officials are yet to identify the most of the bodies of the foreign nationals who killed in the attacks.
The death toll from the bomb blasts that ripped through churches and luxury hotels in the island nation climbed to 290 on Monday (22), Sri Lankan authorities confirmed.
Over 500 people were injured in the Easter Sunday assault.
Suicide attackers hit three high-end hotels, and three churches, unleashing the slaughter in the country’s capital city, Colombo and beyond.
Two additional blasts were occurred as the security officers conducted raids to arrest the suspects.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks. However, the local police said that as many as 24 people have been arrested so far.
Narendra Modi meets family members of former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, who died after an Air India plane carrying him and 241 others crashed in Ahmedabad. (@narendramodi via PTI Photo)
INDIA's prime minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to his longtime colleague Vijay Rupani, the former Gujarat chief minister who died in Thursday's (12) devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.
Speaking after meeting Rupani's family on Friday (13), Modi said it was "unimaginable" that his old friend was no longer with them.
"I've known him for decades. We worked together, shoulder to shoulder, including during some of the most challenging times," the prime minister wrote on social media.
Modi described Rupani as "humble and hardworking, firmly committed to the party's ideology" and praised his rise through the ranks to serve as Gujarat's chief minister.
The 68-year-old BJP leader was among 242 people aboard the London-bound Air India flight that crashed into a medical college building moments after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon. Only one person survived the tragedy, which claimed 265 lives in total.
— (@)
Rupani was travelling to visit his daughter in London, where his wife Anjaliben was already staying. She returned to India on Friday morning.
The former chief minister had a peculiar connection to the crash date - he considered 1206 his lucky number and used it on all his vehicle registration plates throughout his career. The number has now become synonymous with his final journey on June 12 (12/6).
Rupani served as Gujarat's chief minister from August 2016 to September 2021, steering the state through challenging times including the Patidar community protests and the post-Covid recovery period. He stepped down in September 2021, making way for current chief minister Bhupendra Patel ahead of state elections.
FILE PHOTO: Vijay Rupani (L) with Narendra Modi (Photo: X/@narendramodi)
His political journey began in student activism with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad during his college days. In 1975, he was jailed for a year in Bhavnagar for protesting against the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi's government.
He entered public service in 1987 as a Rajkot Municipal Corporation councillor and later became mayor. Between 2006 and 2012, he served as a Rajya Sabha member before Modi appointed him chairman of the Gujarat Municipal Finance Board.
As chief minister, Rupani launched the state Industrial Policy 2020 and championed tribal development initiatives. He was known for his composed manner and firm administrative style during his tenure.
After stepping down as chief minister, Rupani was appointed as the BJP's in-charge for Punjab, a role he held until his death.
The crash has sent shockwaves through Gujarat's political circles, where Rupani was respected across party lines for his dedication and service to the state over nearly three decades in public life.
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Smoke rises from a location allegedly targeted in Israel's wave of strikes on Tehran, Iran, on early morning of June 13, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
ISRAEL carried out a series of airstrikes on Iran on Friday, targeting nearly 100 locations, including nuclear sites and military command centres. The strikes killed senior officials, including the armed forces chief and top nuclear scientists, according to Iranian reports.
In response, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel would face a "bitter and painful" outcome. The Iranian military said there would be "no limits" to its response.
Later, Israel’s military said Iran launched about 100 drones in retaliation. The Israeli air force intercepted them outside its territory.
Jordan said it intercepted drones and missiles that had crossed into its airspace, while air raid sirens were heard in the capital, Amman.
US president Donald Trump told Fox News he had prior knowledge of the Israeli strikes, which involved 200 fighter jets. Trump said Tehran "cannot have a nuclear bomb".
The United States said it was not involved in the Israeli strikes and warned Iran not to target US personnel or assets.
Tehran, however, said the United States would be "responsible for consequences", arguing that the operation "cannot have been carried out without the coordination and permission of the United States".
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes hit the "heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme", including the atomic site at Natanz. He also confirmed nuclear scientists were among those targeted.
Netanyahu said the operations would "continue as many days as it takes". The Israeli military claimed intelligence indicated Iran was nearing the "point of no return" in its nuclear development.
Iranian media said the strikes killed the country’s highest-ranking military officer, Mohammad Bagheri, and the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami.
Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz said, "The precise targeting of senior commanders of the Revolutionary Guards, the Iranian military, and nuclear scientists — all of whom were involved in advancing the plan to destroy Israel — sends a strong and clear message: those who work toward Israel's destruction will be eliminated."
AFP photos showed a large hole in a residential high-rise in Tehran, appearing to have been hit in a targeted strike.
Iranian state media reported civilian deaths, including women and children. Tasnim news agency said six nuclear scientists were killed.
Flights suspended
In Tehran, streets were largely empty except for long queues at petrol stations.
Flights were halted at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran. Iraq and Jordan also closed their airspace and suspended flights.
Several Gulf airlines cancelled services to and from Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Israel declared a state of emergency and shut its airspace. Defence minister Katz said the country was prepared for Iran’s expected retaliation.
Later, Jordan’s military said it had used its aircraft and air defence systems to intercept "a number of missiles and drones that entered Jordanian airspace".
Iran’s armed forces said there were "no limits in responding to this crime" and accused Israel of crossing "all red lines".
Oil prices rose while global stocks fell following the Israeli strikes. The developments came after Trump’s warning of a "massive conflict" in the region.
Trump had earlier said the US was drawing down staff in the Middle East due to threats from Iran to target American bases if war broke out.
He had also said that a deal on Iran’s nuclear programme was "fairly close", but warned that an Israeli attack could jeopardise it.
Speaking about a conversation with Netanyahu, Trump said: "I don't want them going in, because I think it would blow it." He added, "Might help it actually, but it also could blow it."
‘Within reach’
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Iran against targeting US bases in response to the Israeli strikes, reiterating that Washington was not involved.
Iran had earlier warned that it could strike US bases in the region if conflict broke out.
The violence has cast uncertainty on a sixth round of talks scheduled between the US and Iran in Oman on Sunday. Trump said the US still hopes to "get back to the negotiating table".
The UN’s nuclear watchdog confirmed that Natanz was among the sites targeted and said it was "closely monitoring" the situation.
"The agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country," said Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
‘Extremist’
Israel, which relies on US support, views Iran as an existential threat.
Netanyahu has said Israel will act with less restraint since the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas, which is backed by Tehran, and which triggered Israel’s large-scale operation in Gaza.
Since then, Iran and Israel have exchanged direct strikes for the first time.
In addition to Hamas, Israel has been fighting Iranian-backed groups Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Huthis in Yemen.
The United States, Israel, and Western allies have long accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, which Iran has denied.
On Wednesday, the IAEA accused Iran of failing to meet its obligations. Israel renewed its call for international action.
Iran’s nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami called the resolution "extremist", and Iran said it would start a new enrichment site in a secure location.
Iran is currently enriching uranium to 60 per cent — higher than the 3.67 per cent limit under the 2015 nuclear deal and near the 90 per cent level required for a nuclear weapon.
(With inputs from agencies)
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National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel inspect the site after Air India flight 171 crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad, on June 13, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
RESCUE teams with sniffer dogs searched the crash site on Friday after an Air India flight heading to London crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad, killing at least 265 people on board and on the ground.
The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed on Thursday. One person survived the crash, which left the tail of the aircraft lodged in the second floor of a hostel housing medical staff from a nearby hospital.
The nose and front wheel of the plane landed on a canteen building where students were having lunch, according to witnesses.
Deputy commissioner of police Kanan Desai said 265 bodies had been counted so far, indicating that at least 24 people on the ground had died. The toll may rise as more body parts are recovered.
"The official number of deceased will be declared only after DNA testing is completed", Home Minister Amit Shah said in a statement on Thursday evening. He added, "families whose relatives are abroad have already been informed, and their DNA samples will be taken".
Prime minister Narendra Modi visited the affected neighbourhood on Friday. He had earlier described the crash of Air India flight 171 as "heartbreaking beyond words".
Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy. pic.twitter.com/R7PPGGo6Lj — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2025
According to the airline, the passengers included 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. There were also 12 crew members on board. The flight was bound for London’s Gatwick airport.
The only survivor was a British national of Indian origin, identified by local media as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. Air India said he is receiving treatment in hospital.
"He said, 'I have no idea how I exited the plane'", said his brother Nayan Kumar Ramesh, 27, in Leicester, as reported by Britain’s Press Association.
Relatives of passengers gathered in Ahmedabad on Friday to provide DNA samples for identification.
Ashfaque Nanabawa, 40, came looking for his cousin Akeel Nanabawa, who was on board with his wife and three-year-old daughter. He said they had spoken just before takeoff.
"He called us and he said: 'I am in the plane and I have boarded safely and everything was okay'. That was his last call."
One woman, who did not give her name, said her son-in-law had died in the crash.
"My daughter doesn't know that he's no more", she said. "I can't break the news to her, can someone else do that please?"
Air India’s dedicated passenger hotline numbers for India 1800 5691 444; for calls outside India +91 8062779200.
Air India requests media persons not to contact the dedicated passenger hotline number. — Air India (@airindia) June 13, 2025
Crash occurred moments after takeoff
The plane crashed less than a minute after takeoff on Thursday, shortly after reaching an altitude of about 100 metres.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the aircraft issued a mayday call and "crashed immediately after takeoff".
Ahmedabad, the largest city in Gujarat state with a population of about eight million, has a busy airport located near densely populated residential areas.
"One half of the plane crashed into the residential building where doctors lived with their families," said Krishna, a doctor who did not give his full name.
Investigations begin
Boeing said it was in contact with Air India and was "ready to support them". A source familiar with the case told AFP this was the first crash involving a 787 Dreamliner.
The UK and US air accident investigation agencies have sent teams to assist Indian investigators.
A statement from Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg on Air India Flight 171.
Tata Group, which owns Air India, has announced financial support of 10 million rupees ($117,000) for the families of each person who died. It also said it would cover the medical expenses of those injured.
India has experienced multiple deadly air crashes in the past. In 1996, two jets collided mid-air over New Delhi, killing nearly 350 people. In 2010, an Air India Express plane crashed and caught fire at Mangalore airport, killing 158 out of 166 people on board.
Cause of crash still unknown
Experts said it is too early to determine the cause of Thursday’s crash.
"It is very unlikely that the plane was overweight or carrying too much fuel," said Jason Knight, senior lecturer in fluid mechanics at the University of Portsmouth. "The aircraft is designed to be able to fly on one engine, so the most likely cause of the crash is a double engine failure. The most likely cause of a double engine failure is a bird strike."
India’s growing aviation sector
India’s aviation sector has seen rapid growth in recent years. Last month, Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), called the growth "nothing short of phenomenal".
India, with a population of 1.4 billion, is now the world’s fourth-largest air travel market. IATA has projected that it will become the third-largest within the next decade.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Known for their calming presence and warm guidance
Jamie Meek and his husband Fiongal Greenlaw‑Meek, both based in London, are believed to be among the victims of the Air India Express flight that crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon.
The couple, well known within the UK’s spiritual and LGBTQ+ communities, had been travelling in India and had built a strong following through their work at The Wellness Foundry – a platform offering tarot readings, energy healing, and spiritual development. Their gentle presence and guidance had earned them deep respect from followers across the country.
In a poignant final Instagram post, Jamie shared a reel showing the pair seated inside Ahmedabad airport, smiling as they waited to board. The caption read: “And just like that, it’s time to say goodbye. India, thank you for blowing our minds open and our hearts wide.” The clip has since received an outpouring of grief, with messages from clients and friends describing the couple as “kind-hearted”, “wise”, and “beautiful souls”.
Fiongal, who began his career in design before becoming a spiritual mentor, also posted a photo reflecting on the intensity and beauty of their time in India. Earlier posts from their trip include memories from Delhi and Ahmedabad, including a stay at a heritage hotel.
Although UK authorities have not yet officially released the names of the British nationals on board, widespread media coverage has connected the couple’s social media posts with the flight.
Tributes continue to pour in, with many remembering Jamie and Fiongal for the healing they brought into people’s lives, and for their authentic and compassionate spirits. Their reported loss is being deeply felt within the spiritual community and beyond.
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Afghan families wait in Takhta Pul after returning from Pakistan last Wednesday (4)
MORE than 200,000 Afghans have left Pakistan since the government renewed a deportation drive in April, with Iran also stepping up expulsions of Afghans.
Generations of Afghans have fled to neighbouring Pakistan and Iran during decades of successive wars, seeking safety and better economic opportunities.
Both governments have grown weary of large migrant populations and ordered millions to leave under the threat of arrest.
Pakistan launched a strict campaign to evict more than 800,000 Afghans who had their residence permits cancelled, including some born in the country or lived there for decades.
According to the interior ministry, more than 135,000 Afghans left Pakistan in April, while around 67,000 departed in May and more than 3,000 were sent back in the first two days of June.
The number of returnees slowed ahead of the Eid al-Adha holiday last week, with some Afghans still crossing the main border points from Pakistan last Wednesday (4). In total, more than one million Afghans have left Pakistan.
Islamabad has labelled Afghans “terrorists and criminals”, but analysts say the expulsions are designed to pressure neighbouring Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to control militancy in the border regions.
Last year, Pakistan recorded the highest number of deaths from attacks in a decade.
The government frequently accuses Afghan nationals of taking part in attacks and blames Kabul for allowing militants to take refuge on its soil, a charge Taliban leaders deny.
Pakistan is now threatening to lift the protection granted to the 1.3 million Afghans holding refugee cards issued by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees at the end of June.
Meanwhile, Iranian officials have ordered Afghans without documentation to leave by July 6.
Nader Yarahmadi, from the Iranian interior ministry, said on state television that it would affect around four million of the more than six million Afghans who Iran says are in the country.
The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) voiced concern over a surge in Afghan families being deported from Iran, recording 15,675 crossing in May, a more than two-fold increase from the previous month.