Lai offers condolences after deadly Air India crash

Taipei, June 13 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) expressed condolences Thursday night to the relatives of those killed earlier that day after a passenger flight bound for London crashed.

"Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those aboard Air India flight AI171, and the people of India, the U.K., and other nations impacted by the devastating crash," Lai said on social media.

"Taiwan is monitoring the situation closely and extends sympathy to all affected in this difficult time," he added.

The Air India-operated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed in a residential area shortly after taking off from the city of Ahmedabad in western India.

More than 240 passengers on board were killed, and only one passenger survived, with dozens more injured at the crash site, according to Indian authorities.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) also expressed condolences in a statement Thursday.

According to MOFA, there were no Taiwanese nationals aboard the plane, and no Taiwanese people in the affected area.

The ministry said it would continue to monitor the situation and maintain contact with Indian authorities to provide necessary assistance.