Nirali Patel, Indian-Origin Dentist Who Was The Lone Canadian Killed In Ahmedabad Plane Crash
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Nirali Patel, an Indian-origin dentist who lived in Etobicoke, Toronto, was going back to Canada from her "social trip" to India when the unfortunate crash took place.
A London-bound Air India flight carrying 242 passengers and crew members crashed just moments after taking off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, killing all but one person. Among the deceased were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese and one Canadian.
The lone Canadian was identified as Nirali Patel, an Indian-origin dentist who lived in Etobicoke, Toronto. She was travelling back to Canada from a 'social trip" in India when the tragic crash took place, according to CTV News.
According to the report, Nirali's husband was reportedly planning to travel to India with their one-year-old child. 'It's absolutely shocking. There are no words in this grievance," said community leader Don Patel, who was acquainted with the family.
Nirali visited India for four or five days. Her parents, brother and sister-in-law live in Brampton, according to Don. He further spoke to her brother briefly when the news of the crash broke out, saying, 'He was in shock and wasn't able to talk much."
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Nirali worked at a Mississauga dental clinic and got her dental degree in India in 2016 followed by receiving her license in Canada in 2019. Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford offered his condolences on her demise in the tragic crash.
'I'm saddened to learn that a Canadian from Mississauga, Ontario was among those lost in the tragic Air India crash near Ahmedabad. On behalf of the people of Ontario, I extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of every victim," Ford posted on X on Thursday.
The flight, destined for London Gatwick Airport (LGW), carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The tragic incident occurred around 1.39 pm local time (08.09 GMT). As many as 265 bodies have been brought to the city's civil hospital following the horrific crash, a police official said.
Immediately after the crash, a massive emergency response was launched. Indian Army relief columns from the Golden Katar Division, along with six teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire engines, ambulances, and police units, were swiftly mobilised for rescue and recovery operations.
First Published:
June 13, 2025, 16:27 IST
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