The Air India Flight 171 disaster is the most deadly aviation incident involving British nationals since 9/11 – here’s all the known UK victims as families continue to wait for answers
It’s a week today since the catastrophic Air India plane crash – and the families of some UK victims are still waiting for answers about when their loved ones will be returned to them.
A staggering 52 British nationals died when the London-bound Boeing Dreamliner plane smashed into the city of Ahmedabad last Thursday, making it the most deadly aviation disaster involving people from the UK since 9/11. The crash, which unfolded less than a minute after take-off, is so far believed to have claimed 270 lives, including 30 people on the ground. But as they try and come to terms with their loss, many grieving families have still not been able to see the bodies of their loved ones.
Back in the UK, some have called on the Government to do more. After questions mounted over why British consular staff had not been dispatched to local hospitals, Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer told the Commons that the Foreign Office had set up its reception centre at a hotel close to the airport “because we thought that would be the best place to receive British nationals”, rather than the hospital itself “where, tragically, there are no living British nationals”.
Here’s all the known UK victims of the Air India disaster.
Gloucester
- Akeel Nanabawa, 35: Grew up in Newport, South Wales, and was flying back to his home in Gloucestershire with his wife and child at the time of the crash. His father, Abdullah, has urged Indian authorities to allow him to see his son after reportedly being refused entry to the mortuary. Akeel was a football coach at Rising Stars FC and a recruitment consultant.
- Hannaa Vorajee, 31: Had been on the family trip to Indonesia and Malaysia before surprising Akeel’s dad with a visit for Eid. A local community group spoke of her “warmth and quiet generosity” in a moving tribute released after her death.
- Sara Nanabawa, four: Akeel and Hanaa’s daughter, a pupil at Al Ashraf Primary School in Gloucester, and was described by teachers as a “ray of sunshine” who “lit up the classroom”. She died the week of her fifth birthday. A fundraiser set up in her name raised more than £30,000 in its first day, and is now well on its way to reaching its £60,000 goal. All proceeds from the Sara Nanabawa Legacy Fund will go towards establishing a permanent hardship fund for families attending her school.
Northamptonshire
- Raxa Modha, 55: Recently lost her husband, and was returning from his funeral with daughter-in-law Yasha Kamdar and two-year-old grandson Rudra at the time of the crash.
- Abdhiben (Abdhi) Patel, 40: She had been visiting her sick mum, and was on the doomed flight with her sister Maghaben from Gujarat. Abdhi’s husband Pankajbhai and their eight-year-old son Meer, live in Northampton, where she worked as the manager of Zone Beauty Studio for nine years.
Birmingham
- Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek, 39: The wellness influencer posted a video with husband Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, 45 from Ahmedabad airport just moments before boarding the doomed plane. Fiongal had previously appeared on ITV’s This Morning, and on the show this week Ben Shephard paid tribute to the couple, saying: “When we heard the news, obviously it was heartbreaking that those lives of these two young men that were so full of joy and wonderful, wonderful souls have been tragically lost. They will be really sorely missed and very, very warmly remembered by their friends and family.”
London
- Inayatali Saiyedmiya Saiyed, 48: Travelled from Wembley to Ahmedabad to celebrate Eid.
- Nafisa Saiyed, 46: Inayatali’s wife.
- Taskin Saiyed, 25: A doctor, and Inayatali’s daughter.
- Waquee Ali Saiyed, 22: Inayatali’s son, and final year computer science student at City, University of London.
- Javed Ali Syed: General manager at Best Western Hotel, Olympia, director of Al Maazah Ltd, and studied at University of Mumbai and Anglia Ruskin.
- Mariam Syed: Javed’s wife, worked as a brand ambassador for Burberry at Harrods.
- Zayn Ali Syed: Javed’s son.
- Amani Ali Syed, four: Javed’s daughter.
- Adnan Master, 30: From Forest Hill, London. He was visiting relatives with his wife and child, but is thought to have travelled back alone.
- Ash Harrington, 27: Lived in Finchley, London. Close friend Connor Mann said: “Ash was absolutely adored by everyone. He’s never upset anyone in his life. Ash was the nicest person you could ever meet – he was an incredible friend and was a great laugh. This is a hole that will never be filled.”
- Lawrence Daniel Christian, 26: Had been living in London with his wife for the past year-and-a-half, and returned to Ahmedabad for his father’s funeral. Took a final photo with his mum outside the airport before he boarded the flight.
- Adam Taju, 72: Lived in Newham, East London, and was returning home with his wife Hasina and son-in-law Atlaf after celebrating Eid with their family in India.
- Hasina Taju, 70: Adam’s wife and described by the “foundation of our family” by her granddaughters.
- Altaf Patel, 51: Adam and Hasina’s Taju’s son-in-law. He was the director of Redcastle Lettings in Ilford, East London.
- Arjun Patolia, 36: The dad-of-two was returning to London after visiting a village in Gujarat for his late wife’s funeral.
- Kamlesh Chaudary, 27: Killed alongside his wife Dhapuben, who he was bringing back to settle in the UK with him.
- Dhir Baxi,aged in her early 20s: A talented ashion designer who lived in London and had studied in Paris. Visited her grandma along with her sister to celebrate her birthday.
- Heer Baxi, aged in his early 20s: Dhir’s sister, worked as a product manager.
- Manjuben Maheshbhai Patel, 79: Volunteered at the Hindu Temple in Queensbury, North West London.
Derbyshire
- Dr Prateek Joshi: A NHS radiologist at Royal Derby Hospital, died alongside his wife Dr Komi Vyas, their five-year-old twin boys Nakul and Pradyut and eight-year-old daughter Miraya. . A former colleague of Dr Joshi, said the dad had been “really ecstatic” to bring his family to live with him in the UK – and a heartbreaking selfie showed the family smiling together on the plane just moments before the tragedy unfolded.
Leicestershire
- Hardik Avaiya, 27: Manish’s next door neighbour in Leicestershire, had flown to India with his fiancée Vibhooti Patel, 28, to celebrate their engagement.
- Manish Babu, 46: From Leicestershire, had travelled to India to care for his dying father.
- Faizan Rafik Attari: The man from Leicester died in the tragic crash, his local mosque confirmed.
- Nurat Jahar, 29: She had been visiting family in India with her husband of five years Sohail Iproyaliya, but he had returned home to Leicestershire a week earlier for work. He revealed his wife called him from the plane before takeoff.
- Vishwashkumar Ramesh, 40: Was the sole survivor of the crash, miraculously managing to escape the wreckage through an opening in the fuselage. His brother Ajay, who was sat next to him, sadly died.
Middlesex
- Elcina Alpesh Makwana, 42: Her address had previously been listed in Hounslow, Middlessex, and she travelled to India for dental work and to see her parents. Her funeral was held on Sunday in Gujarat.
- Arjun Patolia, 37: He had travelled to India to scatter his late wife Bharti Patoliya’s ashes, who had died just a week before. The father-of-two co-owned a property in Edgware and his tragic death had left his daughters, aged four and eight, orphaned.
Kent
- Panna Nagar: The Ofsted inspector and former headteacher of Northfleet Nursery School in Gravesend, for 15 years, had been returning to the UK from a trip to India. In a statement, the school said Ms Nagar was “more than just an educator”, describing her as a “guiding light, an inspiration and a champion for every child and staff member lucky enough to walk through her doors”.
Dorset
- Ketankumar (Ketan) Shah, 43: The man from Southbourne, Bournemouth, owned a store in the village of Shipton Bellinger and was seated in seat 28A on the doomed flight. Ketan had travelled to India to visit his sick father and is survived by his wife Megha, teenage son and daughter. Shivani Patel, a manager at Parkhouse Store, paid tribute and said: “It is a very difficult time for us as we need to process this tragedy. Ketan loved this village and its people.”
Hampshire
- Renjitha Gopakumaran, aged in her 40s: The NHS nurse, described as an “angel” by her colleagues at Portsmouth University Hospital, had flown to India to see her family and children. She was reportedly living in Pullad, India. In a tribute, Ann Thomas, chief nurse at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, told the Nursing Times: “Renjitha was a much loved and valued member of our nursing team and this news has been a shock to all. We are all so grateful to have had the opportunity to know and work with her. Our thoughts are with Renjitha’s family and friends at this time.”
Leeds
- Dirdh Patel, 23: He was an Indian national who lived in Leeds, living with his brother Krutik and sister-in-law Keya, after studying for an MSc in artificial intelligence at Huddersfield University. He had returned to India to ask his girlfriend’s family for permission to marry her, according to family friends. He was a member of Leeds Moderniana Cricket Club, who have also paid tribute.