Scottish Indian community in mourning after Air India plane crash kills 241 onboard

Members of the Indian community in Scotland are in mourning after a plane bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport.

Air India confirmed 241 of the 242 people on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner were killed on Thursday, in one of the deadliest plane crashes in terms of the number of British nationals killed.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who is 40-years-old and from the UK, is believed to be the only survivor.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has been in contact with Mr Ramesh to offer consular support, Downing Street said.

Investigators trying to establish the cause of the accident have found the black box from the Boeing 787.

Communities in Scotland have told STV News of their sadness following the disaster.

Tributes were paid at the Hindu Mandir in Glasgow, while at the Mahanji Centre of Benevolence in Huntly, mourners said the disaster feels “very close to home”.

Madhu Jain, Hindu Mandir executive committee, said: “I was just crying and crying. I could not believe that this has happened.

“I have to repeat myself and keep on listening to the news – this is such a terrible thing that has happened.

“There are lots of friends who were there on the plane.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the crash site on Friday, with video footage showing him talking to Mr Ramesh in hospital.

There are fears the number of people killed on the ground could rise. At least five medical students were killed and about 50 injured.

Investigations are continuing into the cause of the crash.

A Number 10 spokesman said the FCDO helpline set up as a result of the crash had received “almost 300″ calls as of Friday morning.