Family of Air India crash victims say ‘final goodbyes’ at funeral

A “beloved” family of three Britons who died in the Air India plane crash have been laid to rest at a joint funeral.

Akeel Nanabawa, Hannaa Vorajee and Sara Nanabawa, aged four, were returning home to Gloucester when their plane ploughed into a residential area in Ahmedabad on 12 June.

Their relatives were able to say their “final goodbyes” on Wednesday, as they thanked the community for providing a “constant source of comfort”.

In a statement, they said: “Now that we have been able to say our final goodbyes, we are beginning to reflect not only on our immense loss but also on the beautiful memories we shared.”

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was carrying 242 people when it crashed 30 seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, in western India.

The sole surviving passenger was Briton Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.

Mr Nanabawa, Ms Vorajee and Sara were among 52 Britons killed in the tragedy.

The family’s relatives said: “As Muslims, we rest in the knowledge that our beloved family have been reunited in the next life, living together in harmony once more, just as they did so beautifully in this one.

“In recent days, we have been deeply moved by the stories others have shared with us, of kindness, selflessness, and generosity that we were often unaware of.

“These accounts have brought immense pride and comfort in our sorrow.”

The family also thanked their local MP, Alex McIntyre, for his “unwavering support, advocacy, and presence” throughout the ordeal.

“We extend our gratitude to the doctors who stepped in and worked tirelessly to support us during this period – providing regular updates, reassurance and a calm presence, even as the system around them failed,” they continued.

“To our wider community; your support has been a constant source of comfort, from standing by us in our grief to rallying around family members here in the UK, you have reminded us of the strength and compassion that community can provide.”

A fundraiser in memory of the family has reached nearly £50,000. Relatives say the money will go towards “supporting others, just as they did during their lifetimes”.

The family have criticised the UK government for their “disorganised and understaffed” approach to recovering their loved ones and bringing them home.

“Rather than being guided with clarity and compassion, our families were left to navigate the process with minimal support,” they said.

“We sincerely hope the British government will reflect on this experience and take urgent steps to ensure that embassy personnel are properly equipped to handle crises of this nature in the future, with the sensitivity and professionalism that grieving families deserve.

“As we now begin the long road to healing, we look forward to the eventual findings of the investigation into what happened.”