The King has said that both he and Queen Camilla are ‘desperately shocked’ at the news of the Air India plane crash which occurred on Thursday morning in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad.

At least 200 people have been killed in the disaster after a plane departing Ahmedabad for London’s Heathrow Airport crashed shortly after taking off.

242 people were on board – 52 of them British and one Canadian, in addition to 169 Indian nationals and seven Portuguese.

In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, King Charles said: “My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning.

“Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones.

“I would like to pay a particular tribute to the heroic efforts of the emergency services and all those providing help and support at this most heartbreaking and traumatic time.”

His Majesty, who is sovereign of both the UK and Canada, is being constantly updated on the disaster.

Local police say that 204 bodies have so far been recovered. It is understood that in addition to the passengers and crew on the plane, there are also a number of casualties on the ground.

One British national, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, survived the crash and is being treated in hospital. As of yet he is the only confirmed survivor.