Tributes have poured in for Sara Nanabawa, who is feared dead following the India plane crash, which happened shortly after the jet took off from Ahmedabad Airport, in western India
A four-year-old girl feared dead in the India plane crash was a “ray of sunshine” who “lit up the classroom,” her teacher said.
Sara Nanabawa is reported to have died with her parents Akeel and Hannaa Nanabawa when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner careered into the densely populated Meghani area moments after taking off at Ahmedabad Airport, in western India. The tragedy is one of the deadliest plane crashes in terms of the number of British nationals killed.
Abdullah Samad, headteacher of Sara’s primary school in Gloucester, told the BBC the little girl was a “ray of sunshine” who “lit up the classroom”. Of the family, he said: “We were praying, hoping they weren’t involved because miracles can happen and our prayers are continuous but our expectations are also realistic. They touched lots of people and they will be missed by lots of people.”
Authorities fear all but one – British man Vishwash Kumar Ramesh – have died in the horror. Mr and Mrs Nanabawa, known for their charity work, were on a surprise trip to India and had not shared details of their visit, friends said.
READ MORE: Crowds gather outside Air India crash survivor’s home awaiting news on brother
The Gloucester Muslim Community group offered “sincere and deepest condolences” after the family were reported to be among the victims. A statement said: “During this moment of overwhelming sorrow, our hearts go out to all those left behind.
“No words can truly ease the pain of such a profound loss, but we pray that the family may find solace in the tremendous outpouring of compassion and solidarity from communities across the world.”
Air India confirmed 241 of the 242 people on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner were killed on Thursday. Mr Ramesh, 40, is believed to be the sole survivor. Speaking outside the family home in Leicester, his brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, 27, said: “We were just shocked as soon as we heard it. I last spoke to him yesterday morning. We’re devastated, just devastated. He said, ‘I have no idea how I exited the plane’.”
Mr Ramesh’s older brother Ajay was also aboard the flight. Another of Mr Ramesh’s relatives, Jay, said the survivor spoke to his father after the crash and asked after his brother. Jay added: “After the crash he spoke to his dad worrying about his brother saying, ‘Where’s Ajay’?”
Raj Mishra, the mayor of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, called for people to come together as he announced the deaths of three people from his community. He said: “Among those lost were Raxa Modha, infant Rudra Modha, and Ms K Mistri, all from our Wellingborough community.
“I extend my deepest condolences to their families, friends and all those affected by this heartbreaking event. May their memories be a blessing, and may we come together to support one another in this time of grief.”