The Canadian passenger aboard the doomed Air inida flight has been identified as a dentist and mother to a one-year-old child.
The devastating crash of Air India flight AI171 has claimed the lives of 241 people, with a single passenger surviving what is now one of the worst aviation disasters in recent memory.
Among those tragically killed was Dr. Nirali Sureshkumar Patel, a 32-year-old dentist from Mississauga, Ontario, and the only Canadian aboard the flight.
Dr. Patel, who was a mother to a one-year-old child, had been in India for just four or five days before boarding the London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on June 12.
The aircraft took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. local time, but less than a minute into the flight, at just 625 feet of altitude, the plane’s signal vanished.
Moments later, it crashed into a residential area, slamming into the BJ Medical College doctors’ hostel in Meghani Nagar.
Authorities initially believed there were no survivors, but it was later confirmed that one man, 40-year old british national vishwah kumar ramesh, made it out alive. He had been seated in 11A.
“Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” Ramesh told the Hindustan times from his hospital bed. “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran.”
He suffered injuries to his chest, eyes, and feet, and said his brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, 45, was also onboard and is presumed dead.
The crash left at least 200 bodies recovered from the site, many charred and unrecognizable. In addition to Dr. Patel and Ramesh, the plane was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, and seven Portuguese passengers.
Dr. Patel’s grieving husband, who is now traveling to India with their child, told the national post: “That was my wife. I am not in a state to speak right now.”
Don Patel, a family friend and community leader, said, “It’s absolutely shocking. There’s no words in this grievance… She was coming back. And we heard this tragic thing happened as soon as we wake up.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford extended condolences on X , writing: “On behalf of the people of Ontario, I extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of every victim.”
The pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, had more than 8,200 flight hours. A mayday signal was issued just before the crash, but no further communication followed. The cause remains under investigation.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared on X formerly twitter that he visited the crash site and met with those injured in the aftermath of the tragic plane crash, including Ramesh.
“[We] assured them that we are with them and their families in this tough time. The entire nation is praying for their speedy recovery,” he added.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “devastated” to learn of the air disaster that had claimed so many lives, including that of a Canadian. “My thoughts are with the loved ones of everyone on board,” he shared.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the crash as “devastating,” and King Charles and Queen Camilla have also been briefed.Our thoughts are still with everyone affected by this tragedy.
