‘Heartbroken’ family pay tribute to Air India crash victims

The “heartbroken” family of three victims of the Air India plane crash have paid tribute to their “kind and deeply respected” loved ones.

Akeel Nanabawa, Hannaa Vorajee and Sara Nanabawa were returning from a surprise trip to India when their plane ploughed into a residential area, hitting a hospital and medical student hostel.

In a statement, the family said: “We are heartbroken as we await further information regarding our beloved family members. The news of this tragic incident has left us devastated, and we are still coming to terms with the enormity of what has happened.”

The plane was carrying 241 people when it crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, in western India.

Flight AI171 between Ahmedabad and London Gatwick took off on Thursday afternoon, but struggled to gain altitude and crashed 30 seconds afterwards.

The plane hit a residential area, killing 241 passengers and crew. One passenger, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, survived the crash and was treated in hospital for injuries.

Akeel Nanabawa, Hannaa Vorajee and Sara Nanabawa were among 53 Britons killed in the tragedy.

Abdullah Samad, imam at the Masjid E Umar mosque and head teacher of Sara’s primary school, who was speaking on behalf of the family, said the whole community has been left shaken by the tragedy.

“They were widely loved and deeply respected. His quiet generosity, her warmth and kindness, and their daughter’s bright, joyful spirit made a lasting impact on everyone who knew them,” Mr Samad added.

“She was a ray of sunshine in her school, and they were a pillar of strength in our lives.”

Mr Samad continued: “Their sense of justice and service extended far beyond Gloucester. Together, they were committed advocates for humanitarian causes, they gave their time and energy to awareness campaigns and fundraising efforts, always guided by a strong sense of responsibility to help others.”

They have recently been fundraising for Palestinian charities which have been supporting those in need of urgent medical care after Gaza’s medical system has been devastated in the conflict with Israel.

Mr Samad added that the family regularly volunteered at the local Islamic school and for various local projects.

“Hannaa was also a Director at Peace Inclusion, a grassroots organisation that works to build bridges between communities and promote understanding of Islam through education, dialogue, and shared humanity,” he said.

He said the pain of the tragedy is felt throughout the whole community.

“We are grateful to our local school family, friends, and faith communities for the outpouring of support and solidarity.

“Thank you for your compassion, your messages of support, and your understanding during this time of immense sorrow,” he added.

Sara’s school, Al-Ashraf Primary School, said in a statement that it would be providing pastoral support to children and staff in the coming days.

“Sara’s absence will be deeply felt by both staff and pupils.

“This tragedy has struck at the heart of our school family.

“We are devastated, and we now begin the difficult process of grieving together and supporting one another through the days and weeks ahead.”

Paying tribute to Akeel Nanabawa – who grew up in Newport, south Wales – and his family, a local councillor said the community was “deeply heartbroken and devastated”.

Farzina Hussain, who represents Victoria ward on Newport City Council, said Mr Nanabawa was “known by many” in the area.

“He is remembered as a kind and caring young man, the outpouring of grief and kind words being shared across our community and social media are a testament to the lives he touched,” she said.