The first British victim of the Air India plane crash to be released to her family has been named as Elcina Alpesh Makwan, a 42-year-old mother-of-two from London. Her funeral was held on Sunday, just three days after the tragic aviation disaster that claimed the lives of at least 270 people.

Mrs. Makwan, a telecoms business owner who had resided in London for 15 years, is the first of the 52 British nationals who perished in the crash on Thursday to have their remains returned by Indian authorities. She was described by family and friends as an incredibly "sweet" and "gentle" soul.

News of Mrs. Makwan's release comes as families of the victims continue to grapple with unimaginable grief and loss. The Air India flight, bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025.

Amidst the sorrow, stories of those who lost their lives are emerging, painting a picture of the diverse group of individuals who were on board the flight. Among the victims are sisters Dhir and Heer Baxi, both in their early 20s, who were returning home to London after surprising their grandmother for her birthday. Heer, a product manager with a love for statistics and finance, and Dhir, a fashion designer who studied in Paris, were remembered by their cousin as having an "amazing aura."

Also among the deceased are Mariam and Javed Ali Syed and their two young children, Zayn, 5, and Amani, 4, who were returning from a holiday in India. Akeel Nanabawa, Hannaa Vorajee, and their four-year-old daughter Sara also perished in the crash. Nanabawa ran a recruitment firm with a branch in Ahmedabad, while Vorajee volunteered at an Islamic school and promoted understanding of the religion.

The crash has prompted an outpouring of support and condolences from around the world. The UK Government has stated that Foreign Office staff are working tirelessly in both the UK and India to provide assistance to the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy. A reception center has been established in Ahmedabad to offer support and advice to the families and friends of British nationals.

The Tata Group, the parent company of Air India, has pledged to provide ₹1 crore to the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash.

As investigations into the cause of the crash continue, families are focusing on honoring the memories of their loved ones. The recovery and identification of victims is ongoing, with authorities using DNA testing to identify the deceased.