The Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12, 2025, claimed the lives of 241 people and has left the world in mourning. Among the victims was Nirali Sureshkumar Patel, a 32-year-old dentist from Mississauga, Ontario, who was the sole Canadian citizen on board the ill-fated flight AI171 bound for London.
News of Nirali's tragic death has sent shockwaves through her community in Toronto. She lived in Etobicoke and practiced dentistry at Heritage Dental Centre in Mississauga. According to her clinic's website, Nirali graduated from a dental college in India before moving to Canada, where she obtained her license in 2019. She was known as a dedicated and caring professional who was passionate about giving back to the community, volunteering at free dental camps annually.
Nirali was returning home after a short social visit to India when the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The plane, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed into a residential area, specifically a medical college hostel, and burst into flames. The Aviation Safety Network reports that this is the first fatal accident involving the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Nirali's husband is planning to travel to India with their one-year-old child. Her parents, brother, and sister-in-law reside in Brampton. The news has left her family and friends devastated. A family friend, Don Patel, expressed his grief to CTV News Toronto, saying, "It's absolutely shocking. There are no words in this grievance." He mentioned that Nirali was visiting India for four or five days and they received the tragic news shortly after waking up.
Tributes and condolences have poured in from across Canada and India. Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his devastation, confirming that one Canadian was on board and that Canadian transport officials were in close contact with their international counterparts. Ontario Premier Doug Ford shared his condolences on social media, extending his sympathies to the families and loved ones of all the victims. King Charles III also conveyed his shock and offered prayers and sympathy to the affected families. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the crash "heartbreaking beyond words".
The crash has been described as one of India's worst aviation disasters in decades. According to Air India, the flight had 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national on board. One passenger, identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, miraculously survived the crash. He was reportedly sitting near an emergency exit and managed to jump out.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation. Initial reports indicate that the plane sent a Mayday call shortly after takeoff, signaling an emergency, but did not respond to subsequent calls from air traffic control.
The Hindu community in Toronto is holding prayers for peace and remembrance of the victims. The loss of Nirali Sureshkumar Patel is deeply felt by her family, friends, colleagues, and the wider community. She is remembered as a loving wife, mother, and a compassionate dentist who dedicated her life to serving others.
