Heartbreak as youngest named victims of Air India crash so far are revealed to be in British family-of-four - as relatives hit out at 'no support' from Foreign Office
Harrods brand ambassador Mariam Ali Syed, 35, her husband Javed - a manager at the Best Western Kensington Olympia Hotel - and their children, Zayn, five, and Amani, four, were passengers on stricken Air India Flight 171.
Zayn and Amani are believed to be the youngest named victims of the crash so far.
Mrs Ali Syed's sister-in-law, Yasmine Hassan, 45, broke down while confirming the children's names, and pleaded with officials to offer more support to the families of the 53 British citizens onboard the flight.
'They are so small, they are five and four. And it's just thinking how scared they must have been,' she told the Telegraph.
'We're not angry about the lack of answers [from UK government officials] – we understand that takes time.
'We're angry because no one has reached out to offer support or even ask if we need anything. These are British citizens.'
The Gatwick-bound plane carrying 242 passengers crashed just moments after take-off from Ahmedabad Airport in the northwestern Indian state of Gujarat.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner careened back down to earth in the densely populated Meghani area of the city just minutes after leaving the runway around 1.40pm local time (8.10am BST).
Terrifying CCTV footage shows the plane appear to lose control before it starts rapidly descending with a high nose angle and landing gear deployed. It plunges into the ground and explodes in a huge fireball, as a massive plume of black smoke is seen billowing out from crash site.
Aviation experts say that the aircraft may have suddenly lost power 'at the most critical phase of flight' after takeoff.
A video posted to social media appeared to show the plane descending in a controlled manner with a high nose angle and landing gear deployed
The plane momentarily disappeared from view behind trees and buildings before a massive fireball erupted on the horizon in this horrifying clip
All but one person aboard Air India Flight 171 are feared to have died in the tragedy.
Also among them were Akeel Nanawaba, Hannaa Vorajee and their daughter Sarah, 4, Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, Raxa Modha, her grandson Rudra and her daughter-in-law Yasha Kamdar, and Ajaykumar Ramesh, the brother of the tragedy's only survivor.
The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who was seated in 11A, is also British and told the Hindustan Times he had lived in London for 20 years.
Vishwash's brother Ajaykumar accompanied him on the flight and was sat on the other side of the aisle in seat 11J, but he sadly perished in the fireball explosion.
Akeel Nanawaba, 36, his wife Hannaa Vorajee, 30, and their daughter Sarah, four, were flying home from a five-day family celebration when the Dreamliner crashed.
The successful young couple ran a global recruitment agency with offices in Ahmedabad and Gloucester.
Their shocked business partner Shoyeb Khan Nagori told MailOnline: 'I had dinner with them last night. They were a lovely family and Akeel and his wife were extremely successful people.'
Mr Nagori said he was too upset to find the words to describe their daughter Sarah who had spent time with her grandfather during the brief visit.
He said: 'They were here to celebrate a family festival and to spend some time with Akeel's father.
'Akeel was a really good man, I'm in shock, we were all having dinner together the night before.'
Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, 45, (right) and husband Fiongal, 39, live in London, run a wellness and healthy lifestyle company called the Wellness Foundry, and had been in India on holiday. They are also believed to have been on the flight
Mr Nagori was with hundreds of other relatives of crash victims waiting for updates at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad.
He founded recruitment company Iceberg Outsourcing Services with Mr Nanbawa, who was the managing director.
Hannaa, a trained midwife, was head of finance with a sister company called Rec2go Ltd, also based in Gloucester.
Recently widowed Raxa Modha, 55, her grandson two-year-old Rudra, and her daughter-in-law Yasha Kamdar are all believed to have been onboard the ill-fated airliner.
Mrs Modha had been in India for some time fulfilling the dying wish of her ill husband Kishor who had wanted to live out his last days in his homeland.
Following his recent passing, the mother-of-three was returning with her family to their home in Northamptonshire when disaster struck.
In a twist of fate, Kishan Modha – the toddler's father and Raxa's son – had also been in India but was not on the flight as he was due to catch another tomorrow.
Speaking to MailOnline, a family friend said: 'It's incredibly sad, the whole family is already grieving Kishor's death.
'Kishan fortunately was getting on another flight, but we don't know what has happened to the others.'
Neighbours at the family's detached home in Wellingborough said Mrs Modha is a 'lovely lady'.
They said she had been in India for an extended period to support her husband who was battling an illness.
The respected businessman, who launched a successful catering business after settling in the UK in 1989, died on April 26. The family were due to hold a service in his memory later this month.
In a memorial for him, the family said he was a 'cherished husband' to Raxa and 'proud grandfather to Rudra, who brought him immense joy'.
The mayor for Wellingborough, Raj Mishra offered his condolences to the family on a post on Facebook adding it was devastating for the local community.
'I extend my deepest condolences to their families, friends, and all those affected by this heartbreaking event,' he added.
Police said they had found a lone survivor who had been sitting in seat 11A when Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff in India
British celebrity wellness guru Jamie Meek and his husband are also believed to have perished after they posted a haunting video of themselves at the airport waiting to board the Air India flight.
Mr Meek, 45, and husband Fiongal Greenlaw, 39, who live in London, run a wellness and healthy lifestyle company called the Wellness Foundry, and had been in India on holiday.
In a chilling final social media video posted from Ahmedabad airport as they waited to board their doomed flight the couple were dressed in flowery shirts looking happy at the end of their break.
In the clip, Fiongal says: 'We are at the airport just boarding. Goodbye India. Ten-hour flight back to England. What was your biggest takeaway Jamie?
Jamie replies: 'I don't know,' with his partner laughing and responding: 'Thanks for your contribution.'
Fiongal than jokes that his biggest takeaway was 'don't lose your patience with your partner' to which Jamie responds with a smile: 'You snapped at me at the airport for having chai.'
As other passengers mill in the background, Fiongal laughs at the camera and reveals that he is going back to Britain 'happily, happily calm.'
Mr Meek's brother, Nick Meek, told MailOnline: 'We were expecting him home tonight. He should have landed at 6.30pm and then driven up for about 11pm to get his dog who is staying with our Mum.
'She is not in a good way. It is all very raw for her at the moment. It's a lot to take in and we only heard this news a couple of hours ago.
'Jamie and his husband Fin had been out there for 10 days as a couple to do a wellness retreat.
'They both worked in holistics and had their own business.'
The caretaker from Birmingham said it was not the first time his brother had been to India but it was the first time they had gone as a couple.
He said that his brother and Fin had married in 2022 and lived in Ramsgate, Kent.
In other videos posted by the couple, they showed the stunning hotel they were staying in while in Ahmedabad having completed a seven-hour car journey.
The company specialises in tarot and psychic readings, reiki and other alternative spiritual therapies.
British father Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, was filmed walking out from the rubble after some how miraculously surviving the catastrophic crash.
Fiongal lies on a large bed as he speaks to the camera, showing off a giant swing in their room and describes the hotel as 'beautiful.
He beams: 'Feeling very, very happy.'
The couple captured the happy time they had in India in a series of social media posts.
This included getting henna tattoos, shopping for fine fabrics and other gifts and driving through chaotic traffic in a tuk-tuk.
They arrived in Ahmedabad just a day before flying back with Fiongal posting in a video: 'So, it's our last night in India and we've had a magical experience. Some mind-blowing things have happened.
'We are going to put all this together and create a vlog. It's my first ever vlog about the whole trip and we want to share it.'
Jamie revealed what a memorable trip they had both had: 'We have been on quite a journey and then spending our last night here in this beautiful hotel, it's really been great way to round off the trip.'
According to its website, The Wellness Foundry was founded by Fiongal in 2018 after he had a 'spiritual awakening' following a mysterious illness.
The website adds: 'Seeking healing beyond conventional methods, Fiongal delved into alternative practices that resonated deeply within his soul.'
Speaking to local media from the safety of a hospital bed, the passenger who was in seat 11A said: 'Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.'
'When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran.
'There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.'
Astonishing footage showed the passenger walking away from the scene with some visible injuries.
Vishwash, who was returning home to London after visiting family, sustained injuries to his chest, eyes and feet, he told the Hindustan Times.
The regional police chief said 'some locals would have also died', given that the plane smashed down into offices and accommodation for doctors close to a hospital.
So far, rescue teams supported by the military have recovered 204 bodies, with casualties from the plane and the area surrounding the crash.
The passengers included 159 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and a Canadian. Eleven of those on board were children, including two newborns.
A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said: 'Our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragic plane crash in India – this is an unfolding situation, and it will undoubtedly be causing a huge amount of worry and concern.
'FCDO staff are working urgently with local authorities in India and the UK to ensure families and friends are supported in the coming days, whether in the UK or in India.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
17 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Mourners line streets for funeral of world's longest KFC worker as hearse makes final visit to restaurant where she fried chicken for 47 years
Mourners have been lining the streets for the funeral of the world's longest KFC worker who worked at the same fast food joint for 47 years. Pauline Richards, known as Miss KFC, died last month aged 74 and worked almost every role at the branch in Taunton, Somerset - from cleaner to cashier to team leader. On Wednesday her hearse, flanked by crowds of friends, family and former customers, made its final visit to the restaurant where she fried chicken for almost five decades. Ms Richards, who had been battling cancer, is believed to have served more than five million drumsticks during a glittering career at the popular chicken store. She has been the company's longest-serving worker for two years after surpassing American employee Lorena Neely, who worked for the chain between 1976 and 2023. A horse-drawn procession provided a fitting tribute to the long-time employee, leaving her home at 12.45pm before making the half-hour commute to her KFC. It then continued its journey through the town centre to bid an emotional farewell to her community. Members of the public also had the chance to leave notes in condolence books at the fast food restaurant. On Wednesday her hearse, flanked by crowds of friends, family and former customers, made its final visit to the restaurant where she fried chicken for almost five decades The pensioner became a cult hero in the town thanks to her 'banter' with customers and the habit of always having a smile on her face. Local children called her 'Mum' and 'Nan' - while adults have fondly said she watched them grow up, seeing them through many a night out safely. She was even honoured with a Civic Award by the town's Mayor Councillor Vanessa Garside earlier this year for her 'outstanding long service' at the restaurant. Ms Richards's children, Wayne and Tracey Sutton, led the tributes who said working at KFC for so many years was 'more than just a job to her'. They said: 'Mum was a truly special person. She was kind, caring, generous and adored by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 'Mum made people feel seen and valued, whether it was family and friends, or the customers and colleagues she met at KFC. 'KFC was more than just a job to her. 'She loved talking to customers and always remembered their stories, and she built friendships that lasted for many years. Mum always taught us to give people your care and time, and we know that's something she'll be remembered for. 'Being part of the Taunton community was really important to Mum. Reading all the tributes and knowing so many people are thinking of her, both in Taunton and beyond, has been a huge comfort to us. 'Thank you everyone for your kind words and support. It would have meant the world to mum.' Ms Richards previously told of her love of the job and how children used to call her Miss KFC. She said: 'When I go out for a break, children would shout over to me 'Hello Miss KFC' and call me 'Mum' and 'Nan'. 'Even on a Friday and Saturday night here, you get customers and some young boys start singing my name out and they are pleased to see me. 'When I'm not in, they (the customers) are asking where I am. If I've been out, I get people asking why I'm not working tonight.' Ms Richards began working for KFC in the 1970s to support her friend at the former branch on East Reach, Taunton. During her time at the company, she worked her way up to becoming a manager for two-and-half years. She added: 'I love my job. Customers I have always spoken to and I have been friendly with and I have always tried to help as best I can and this job has always suited my life.' Ms Richards remained a hit among customers whatever her job title, with many taking to social media to pay tribute to the KFC employee. One wrote on Facebook: 'She was an absolute legend, simple as. A beautiful soul and will be sadly missed.' Another added: 'Very sad to hear the news of Pauline's passing, what a lovely lady, I feel I've know all my life, you fed me many a night on the town, during my teens, 20s, 30s 40s and 50s. 'A lovely hard working lady, who will be sadly missed by many I'm sure, thank you Pauline, till we meet in the KFC in the sky.' Other residents have suggested putting up a bench or plaque in a 'sunny spot' in the town, in memory of 'a true star of Taunton Town' and a 'local legend'. They said it would be a fitting tribute to the woman who 'brought a ray of sunshine' to everyone she met and 'made us all smile with her customer service banter'. A KFC spokesperson said: 'We're deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Pauline Richards. We are supporting Pauline's family, who have asked for their privacy to be respected during this difficult time.' A spokesperson for Taunton Town Council said: 'All of us at Taunton Town Council are saddened to learn of the passing of one of Taunton's most loved residents, Pauline Richards, aka Miss KFC, the world's longest serving member of KFC staff and a friendly, well known face in our town. 'She was an excited and incredibly deserving recipient of one of our Civic Awards back in March this year.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Share your experience of getting your dream job and it not working out
You've done it. After years of study, sacrifice or pure graft, you finally secured your dream job. But what happens when it doesn't work out? If your dream job turned sour, we would like to hear from you. Tell us your journey to your dream job. What went wrong? If it wasn't what you expected, did you leave? What did you do instead and how did your friends and family react? You can tell us how your dream job didn't work out by filling in the form below. Please include as much detail as possible. Please note, the maximum file size is 5.7 MB. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. If you include other people's names please ask them first. If you're having trouble using the form click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Schools accused of allowing pupils to take up GCSEs in their native languages, such as Chinese and Russian, to boost grades
More pupils are taking GCSEs in unusual languages such as Chinese and Russian amid claims native speakers are using them to boost their grades. Government data for this year shows 42,945 pupils took GCSEs in niche languages – up 70 per cent from 25,225 just four years ago. This is roughly 10,000 more than those that take German, and it is a third of the number who take French. Experts said it was likely pupils from migrant backgrounds were taking qualifications in their mother tongue to get an 'easy' GCSE under their belt. Farcically, these GCSEs also count towards the Government's Ebacc, a performance measure aimed at getting pupils to do rigorous subjects. And there have also been concerns the trend could put off non-native speakers, who are learning the language from scratch. The entry data for 'other modern languages' covers any language aside from the mainstream subjects of French, German and Spanish. Included are Arabic, Italian, Japanese, modern Hebrew, modern Greek, Bengali, Polish, Turkish, Urdu and Panjabi. Iain Mansfield, head of education at the Policy Exchange think tank, said: 'Encouraging native speakers to take these foreign language GCSEs en masse has long been used by some schools to artificially boost their rankings. 'While there is nothing wrong with an individual pupil choosing to take a GCSE in their heritage language, the soaring numbers show it's time for Government to clamp down on this loophole – and ensure schools can't claim credit for entering pupils into language GCSEs at which they are already proficient.' Alan Smithers, professor of education at the University of Buckingham, said: 'Many of these GCSEs are mainly taken by native speakers because they can do extremely well and meet the obligations on schools to promote language learning. 'The problem is that there are important foreign languages which other pupils could very usefully learn like Chinese and Russian, but they are nowhere near as good as native speakers, and most I'm afraid tend to get put off.' The number taking 'other foreign languages' has increased every year since 2021, with a 1 per cent increase since 2024. Almost a quarter – 24 per cent – of those taking these languages do so a year early, suggesting they may already know all the course content. Last year, 72 per cent of entries to this category got at least a grade 7 – equivalent to the old A – compared to 22 per cent across all GCSE subjects, making it the highest-scoring. One school, Leeds City Academy, actively encourages pupils to take GCSEs in what it calls 'heritage languages' – defined as 'the first language spoken by the student or a language in which they are proficient'. It offers tuition of just two hours a week after school to help them pass the qualifications, which are run by EdExcel. The school's website says: 'As heritage language students already have a sound knowledge of the language, you will be expected to sit the higher tier exams.' The trend is a concern for native English speakers who take GCSEs in these languages learning from scratch. Some private schools now offer languages such as Chinese, with a view that it could be a useful language to have in the future global job market. Previous research from Ofqual on native speakers taking A-level languages found they perform on average better than non-native speakers. A Department for Education spokesman said: 'Learning a language empowers young people to engage with the world, think critically and understand new perspectives, and we want all children to have this opportunity regardless of their background or postcode. 'High and rising standards are at the heart of the government's mission to break down barriers to opportunity which is why we are committed to increasing the number of pupils studying languages at GCSE, including languages that are commonly spoken in modern day Britain. 'Decisions about which languages to offer at GCSE are taken by exam boards and are partly decided on by the level of demand from schools, and people speaking the language in the UK. Many post-16 and adult learners will take language GCSEs, particularly in lesser taught languages.'
