The family of a dentist from Mississauga has confirmed that Nirali Sureshkumar Patel, a Canadian citizen, was aboard an Air India flight that tragically crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday. Patel’s husband shared the heartbreaking news, stating that they were in the process of arranging travel to India for themselves and their one-year-old child.
The flight, which was bound for London, went down in Ahmedabad, a city in northwestern India, resulting in the deaths of at least 240 people. This incident is recognized as one of the most severe airline disasters in India’s history. Following the crash, Indian officials reported that medical students residing in a college hostel near the crash site were among those deceased.
Vidhi Chaudhary, a senior police officer in Ahmedabad, stated that many of the deceased victims were charred beyond recognition. Indian Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that there was a lone survivor of the crash, who has been identified as Vishwashkumar Ramesh. Medical personnel described him as disoriented and injured but stable. Ramesh recounted that the plane began to descend immediately after takeoff, split in two, and subsequently exploded.
The incident occurred five minutes after the aircraft took off at 1:38 p.m. (08:08 GMT) and crashed into a residential area known as Meghani Nagar. Eyewitness reports and video footage captured the plane in distress as it plummeted, culminating in a significant fireball that filled the sky once it disappeared from view. Local firefighters and emergency responders battled the flames that engulfed the aircraft and adjacent buildings, while teams from the Indian Army assisted with debris clearance and medical response.
Air India officials reported that the flight was carrying 242 individuals, which included 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. The crash site was met with devastation, as charred remains and wreckage littered the area, and concerns were raised about the victims trapped under the rubble.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his sorrow regarding the crash, noting that he was in communication with transportation officials as the situation unfolded. His statement emphasized the tragedy's impact on the families of the passengers and crew on board the doomed flight.
This incident marks the first crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model that has seen significant usage since its introduction in 2009. Aviation experts indicated that the plane had issued a mayday signal prior to losing contact with air traffic control. Investigators will examine flight data from the aircraft to determine the circumstances leading to this catastrophe.
Boeing acknowledged the situation and is making efforts to collect pertinent information regarding the crash. Meanwhile, British officials have also extended their condolences, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling the event devastating, and assuring support for all those affected. King Charles III expressed shock and offered prayers for the victims and their families.
The air disaster comes as a stark reminder of previous occurrences; the last major passenger plane crash in India was in 2020, and the country’s worst aviation disaster remains a midair collision from 1996, which resulted in the death of all 349 individuals on board two planes.
As the investigation proceeds and the world responds to this tragic event, the implications for Boeing may emerge, especially in light of the upcoming Paris Air Show where industry advancements and safety will be under scrutiny. Shares of Boeing Co. already faced a significant decline in value post-crash, highlighting the market's sensitivity to aviation safety incidents.
