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Families of British victims of Air India crash feel abandoned by UK Government

Families of British victims of Air India crash feel abandoned by UK Government

ITV News7 hours ago

"We want our brothers and sister and our niece to be with us": ITV News Correspondent Sejal Karia speaks to the family of Akeel, Hannaa and Sara
The families of three of the British victims of the Air India disaster in Ahmedabad have criticised the UK's response to the disaster, saying they "feel utterly abandoned".
Akeel Nanawaba, Hannaa Vorajee, and their four-year-old daughter Sara were on their way home to Gloucester after a surprise visit to India. Then disaster struck.
Their family is devastated by their loss, after the Air India plane they were flying on crashed in Ahmedabad.
The aircraft struck a medical college hostel in a residential part of Ahmedabad, killing 241 of the 242 people on board, 52 of whom were British.
Speaking of little Sara, Hannaa's brother Mohammed Vorajee, says "She wasn't just my niece, she was my everything.
"She was the life of both of our families. She was the life of the community."
There have been torturous waits outside the hospital, where authorities are carrying out the task of identifying the bodies.
Hampering their family's grief, is what they describe as an 'appalling' response by the UK Government.
"They haven't contacted me once" said Akeel's brother, Hamzah Nanabawa.
"They haven't even been down to the DNA centre or the hospital.
"And this is what hurts us the most. Give us answers."
A Foreign Office spokesperson said there is reception centre at a nearby hotel and a helpline, but the families wants a British representative at the hospital.
Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer said: "I understand how frustrating it is for families who have not yet been able to lay their loved ones to rest
"I recognise the pain and frustration that this has caused.
"The Indian authorities are working around the clock with UK support to be able to do this."

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