The tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, has claimed the lives of 241 people, leaving behind a trail of grief and devastation. Among the victims is four-year-old Sara Nanabawa, a British girl described as a "ray of sunshine" by those who knew her. Sara, along with her parents, Akeel Nanabawa and Hannaa Vorajee, were on a flight bound for London's Gatwick Airport when the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
News of the young girl's passing has been met with an outpouring of sorrow and tributes. Abdullah Samad, the headteacher of Sara's primary school in Gloucester, shared his heartfelt memories of the child, stating that she "lit up the classroom" with her infectious personality. The headteacher, who is also an Imam at Masjid E Umar mosque, told the BBC that the family were on a surprise trip to India and had not shared details of their visit. He also added that the married couple were well-known for their charity work and generosity and "touched lots of people and they will be missed by lots of people"
The Gloucestershire Muslim Bereavement Council (GMBC) also expressed their condolences, stating they were "profoundly heartbroken" by the "devastating loss of life". In a statement, a spokesperson for the GMBC 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. May their cherished memories provide comfort, and may they rest in eternal peace."
Akeel Nanabawa and Hannaa Vorajee were remembered as a couple dedicated to charitable work and community service. They ran an outsourcing services business, Iceberg, with bases in both Gloucester and Ahmedabad. The couple were known to fundraise for humanitarian efforts in Gaza and provide medical care for impoverished individuals in India. Just before boarding their ill-fated flight, they posted a video from the Ahmedabad airport, expressing their joy about their "magical experience" in India.
The Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members when it crashed. Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national. Initial reports suggest that the plane crashed into a medical college after issuing a mayday distress signal citing engine failure. At least five medical students were killed in the crash, and approximately 50 others were injured. Authorities have confirmed one survivor of the crash, a British national of Indian origin who is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, acknowledged the tragedy and the significant loss of British lives in a statement. Air India's chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, described the incident as a "tragic accident" and a "devastating event." The airline has expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and is providing full cooperation to the authorities investigating the crash. A team of caregivers from Air India has been deployed to Ahmedabad to provide support to the affected families.
