Latest news with #AshfaqueNanabawa
The Guardian
a day ago
- General
- The Guardian
One of two black boxes recovered from Air India wreckage, police sources say
Recovery teams have found one of two black boxes from the wreckage of Thursday's Air India crash in Ahmedabad, police sources said, as others have continued the grim task of identifying the 241 passengers and unconfirmed numbers of people on the ground who died. As grieving families queued at a hospital in the northern Indian city to give DNA samples in the hope of identifying their loved ones, teams continued searching the wreckage of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft and the buildings into which it crashed, including a staff hostel at a nearby hospital. All but one of the 242 passengers on board the London-bound flight were killed when it ploughed into a residential district shortly after takeoff on Thursday and exploded. Kanan Desai, the deputy commissioner of police in the city, said 265 bodies had so far been counted, suggesting at least 24 people died on the ground. In emotional scenes, family members gathered at an emergency centre in the hope of retrieving their loved ones' remains. Ashfaque Nanabawa, 40, said he was searching for his cousin Akeel Nanabawa, and his cousin's wife and three-year-old daughter, who had been onboard. They had spoken as his cousin on the plane just before takeoff, he said. 'He called us and he said: 'I am in the plane and I have boarded safely and everything was OK'. That was his last call.' Another woman, who did not give her name, said her son-in-law had been killed. 'My daughter doesn't know that he's no more,' she said, wiping away tears. 'I can't break the news to her, can someone else do that please?' Others hunted for people who had been in the damaged buildings. Thakur Ravi, who worked in the kitchen at the BJ Medical College hostel, was searching for his mother, a cook, and his two-year-old daughter, who he had left in her care. The last time he saw them was before he set off to deliver lunch boxes to senior doctors at the hospital, about half an hour before the crash, he said. 'All the other ladies who cook food at the hostel managed to escape, but my mother and daughter got left inside. I have searched everywhere but have not found them,' he said. The plane, which was bound for London Gatwick, was carrying 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian, whose the identities have been emerging as their families have confirmed their loss. Among the Britons was Dr Prateek Joshi, a hospital radiologist based in Derby, his wife, Komi Vyas, also a medic, and their three children. They had shared a beaming selfie moments before takeoff as they sat on the plane. The outlet NDTV said Vyas had recently left her job at a hospital in Udaipur to take the family to join her husband in the UK. Akeel Nanabawa, a businessman based in Gloucester, also died, along with his wife, Hannaa Vorajee, and their four-year-old daughter, Sara. In a statement, their family said 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. She was a ray of sunshine in her school and they were a pillar of strength in our lives.' A British man, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who miraculously walked from the wreckage with minor injuries, has described the horror of watching people 'dying in front of my eyes'. Speaking on Friday from a hospital bed where he is recovering from burns, Ramesh, 40, told the local broadcaster DD News that before the moment of impact the plane had seemed to be 'stuck' in the air. 'When the flight took off, within five to 10 seconds it felt like it was stuck in the air. Suddenly, the lights started flickering – green and white. The aircraft wasn't gaining altitude and was just gliding before it suddenly slammed into a building and exploded.' Ramesh, who was sitting in seat 11A, next to one of the emergency exits, had thought he was dead, he said. 'Later, I realised I was still alive and saw an opening in the fuselage. I managed to unbuckle myself, used my leg to push through that opening, and crawled out.' He added: 'I don't know how I survived. I saw people dying in front of my eyes – the air hostesses, and two people I saw near me.' He was visited in hospital on Friday by India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, who also toured the site of the crash and was briefed by officials. 'The scene of devastation is saddening,' Modi said in a post on X. 'Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy.' India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is leading the inquiry into the cause of the crash, helped by teams from the US and UK. Boeing's chief executive, Kelly Ortberg, said the company was supporting the investigation. 'Safety is foundational to our industry and is at the core of everything that we do. Our technical experts are prepared to assist investigators to understand the circumstances, and a Boeing team stands ready to travel to India,' he said. Tata Group, Air India's owner, offered 10 million rupees ($117,000) to 'the families of each person who has lost their life in this tragedy', as well as promising to cover medical expenses of those injured.
The Star
a day ago
- General
- The Star
'Unimaginable': families mourn dead in Air India crash
Ayyub Sheikh, 49, showing a picture of his nephew and his family, who died in the crash. - Reuters AHMEDABAD, India: In an echoing hall in India's Ahmedabad, mourning families gave DNA samples on Friday(June 13) to identify relatives missing after a London-bound passenger jet crashed in a residential area. At least 265 people on board and on the ground were killed when the Air India 787-8 Dreamliner smashed into a residential area soon after takeoff on Thursday. Just one passenger miraculously survived the giant fireball. Ashfaque Nanabawa, 40, said he had come to find his cousin Akeel Nanabawa, who had been onboard with his wife and three-year-old daughter. He said they had spoken to his cousin as he sat in the plane just before takeoff. "He called us and he said: 'I am in the plane and I have boarded safely and everything was okay'. That was his last call." Nanabawa, speaking in the early hours of Friday morning, said he and his family had given DNA samples, but were yet to "identify any of the bodies". Medical officials consoling families of victims as they collect DNA samples. - AFP Indian police said at least 265 bodies had been recovered from the smouldering crash site -- both from the wreckage of the plane and the medical staff accommodation into which the burning jet crashed. The toll may rise further as more bodies are located. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called the crash "heartbreaking beyond words". India's Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited the crash site and those injured in hospital on Thursday evening, said forensic laboratories would "complete the DNA testing in the shortest possible time". Shah said the final official toll would "be declared only after DNA testing is completed". On a raised platform, a dozen exhausted doctors worked to collect samples for the grim task of trying to identify bodies. "We have taken samples of babies and those above 80 years old. I don't have words to explain this," said a doctor, on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media. Air India said there were 169 Indian passengers, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and a Canadian on board the flight bound for London's Gatwick airport, as well as 12 crew members, making 242 onboard. Only one is confirmed to have survived, a British national. At least 24 people also died on the ground when the jet hit residential buildings. "As doctors, you're always prepared for the worst right?" the medic added. "But this is just overwhelming. Families are crying, looking for answers." Above, the sounds of planes echoed, with the hall close to another airport. "One person came to give the sample... his child, wife and mother were on the flight", the doctor added. "What do I even say?" One woman, too grief-stricken to give her name, said her son-in-law had been killed. "My daughter doesn't know that he's no more", she said, wiping away tears. "I can't break the news to her, can someone else do that please?" Friends also arrived in a desperate search for news. Premal Mehta, 39, from Ahmedabad, said he did not want to believe his friend Mahesh Jeerawala had been killed. "I am using everything in my power, political contacts, whatever it is, to find him", he said in desperation, as he supported his friend's brother, who was providing a DNA sample. Others had flown in seeking news, or to identify the dead. Ismail Sheikh said he had celebrated only days before with his friend, a London resident who had returned to see family in India. His friend was onboard with his wife and two children. Sheikh recalled taking his friend to the airport 15 years ago, when he moved to London with high hopes for the future. "Now I am here," Sheikh said, his eyes wet with tears. "This is unimaginable". - AFP
IOL News
a day ago
- General
- IOL News
'Unimaginable': families mourn dead in Air India crash
Firefighters carry a victim's body after the Air India flight 171 crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The London-bound passenger plane crashed on June 12 in India's western city of Ahmedabad with 242 on board, aviation officials said in what the airline called a "tragic accident" Image: Photo by Sam PANTHAKY / AFP In an echoing hall in India's Ahmedabad, mourning families gave DNA samples on Friday to identify relatives missing after a London-bound passenger jet crashed in a residential area. At least 265 people on board and on the ground were killed when the Air India 787-8 Dreamliner smashed into a residential area soon after takeoff on Thursday. Just one passenger miraculously survived the giant fireball. Ashfaque Nanabawa, 40, said he had come to find his cousin Akeel Nanabawa, who had been onboard with his wife and three-year-old daughter. Amid all the horror of the Air India plane crash, this story of British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh from Leicester, who was in seat 11a, being the sole survivor and walking away with just a few scratches, is truly astonishing. — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 12, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Nanabawa, speaking in the early hours of Friday morning, said he and his family had given DNA samples, but were yet to "identify any of the bodies". I'm still in shock My fingers are trembling my heart is shattered my cousin is no more. He must was in the hostel mess, sharing dreams with friends, when the Air India crash stole him away. He was supposed to come home last week but stayed back. Now he'll never return#planecrash — Dr. Rishi Bose (@Rishii_Bose) June 12, 2025 Heartbreaking Indian police said at least 265 bodies had been recovered from the smouldering crash site - both from the wreckage of the plane and the medical staff accommodation into which the burning jet crashed. The toll may rise further as more bodies are located. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called the crash "heartbreaking beyond words". India's Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited the crash site and those injured in hospital on Thursday evening, said forensic laboratories would "complete the DNA testing in the shortest possible time". Shah said the final official toll would "be declared only after DNA testing is completed". On a raised platform, a dozen exhausted doctors worked to collect samples for the grim task of trying to identify bodies. "We have taken samples of babies and those above 80 years old. I don't have words to explain this," said a doctor, on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media. The full sequence from take-off to crash—final moments of Air India 171 captured on CCTV. Clear catastrophic lack of lift just seconds after liftoff. — Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) June 12, 2025 Air India said there were 169 Indian passengers, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and a Canadian on board the flight bound for London's Gatwick airport, as well as 12 crew members, making 242 onboard. Only one is confirmed to have survived, a British national. At least 24 people also died on the ground when the jet hit residential buildings. "As doctors, you're always prepared for the worst right?" the medic added. "But this is just overwhelming. Families are crying, looking for answers." Above, the sounds of planes echoed, with the hall close to another airport. "One person came to give the sample... his child, wife and mother were on the flight", the doctor added. "What do I even say?" One woman, too grief-stricken to give her name, said her son-in-law had been killed. "My daughter doesn't know that he's no more", she said, wiping away tears. "I can't break the news to her, can someone else do that please?" Unimaginable Friends also arrived in a desperate search for news. Premal Mehta, 39, from Ahmedabad, said he did not want to believe his friend Mahesh Jeerawala had been killed. "I am using everything in my power, political contacts, whatever it is, to find him", he said in desperation, as he supported his friend's brother, who was providing a DNA sample. Others had flown in seeking news, or to identify the dead.
News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
Onlookers film bodies strewn amongst tragic Air India Flight 171 crash site
WARNING: Extremely graphic details Shocking footage has been released from the crash site of Air India Flight 171, with what appears to be a dozen onlookers crowding around a victim's decapitated head while filming it with their smartphones. The footage was shared to X alongside another video showing the frantic rescue effort. That clip was too gruesome to blur for publication. Charred bodies were seen being placed onto stretchers amid the rubble, strewn with airplane instruments, seatbelt buckles and human limbs. Commenters heavily condemned the people crowded around the scene filming eagerly. chose to publish a blurred copy of the video, understanding the dilemma involved with simultaneously documenting and condemning the act. Heartbreaking scenes In an echoing hall in India's Ahmedabad, mourning families gave DNA samples on Friday to identify relatives missing after a London-bound passenger jet crashed in a residential area. At least 265 people on board and on the ground were killed when the Air India 787-8 Dreamliner smashed into a residential area soon after takeoff on Thursday. Just one passenger miraculously survived the giant fireball. Ashfaque Nanabawa, 40, said he had come to find his cousin Akeel Nanabawa, who had been onboard with his wife and three-year-old daughter. He said they had spoken as his cousin sat in the plane just before takeoff. 'He called us and he said: 'I am in the plane and I have boarded safely and everything was okay'. That was his last call.' Nanabawa, speaking in the early hours of Friday morning, said he and his family had given DNA samples, but were yet to 'identify any of the bodies'. Indian police said at least 265 bodies had been recovered from the smouldering crash site -- both from the wreckage of the plane and the medical staff accommodation into which the burning jet crashed. The toll may rise further as more bodies are located. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called the crash 'heartbreaking beyond words'. India's Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited the crash site and those injured in hospital on Thursday evening, said forensic laboratories would 'complete the DNA testing in the shortest possible time'. Shah said the final official toll would 'be declared only after DNA testing is completed'. On a raised platform, a dozen exhausted doctors worked to collect samples for the grim task of trying to identify bodies. 'We have taken samples of babies and those above 80 years old. I don't have words to explain this,' said a doctor, on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media. Air India said there were 169 Indian passengers, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and a Canadian on board the flight bound for London's Gatwick airport, as well as 12 crew members, making 242 onboard. Only one is confirmed to have survived, a British national. At least 24 people also died on the ground when the jet hit residential buildings. 'As doctors, you're always prepared for the worst right?' the medic added. 'But this is just overwhelming. Families are crying, looking for answers.' Above, the sounds of planes echoed, with the hall close to another airport. 'One person came to give the sample... his child, wife and mother were on the flight', the doctor added. 'What do I even say?' One woman, too grief-stricken to give her name, said her son-in-law had been killed. 'My daughter doesn't know that he's no more', she said, wiping away tears. 'I can't break the news to her, can someone else do that please?' 'Unimaginable' Friends also arrived in a desperate search for news. Premal Mehta, 39, from Ahmedabad, said he did not want to believe his friend Mahesh Jeerawala had been killed. 'I am using everything in my power, political contacts, whatever it is, to find him', he said in desperation, as he supported his friend's brother, who was providing a DNA sample. Others had flown in seeking news, or to identify the dead. Ismail Sheikh said he had celebrated only days before with his friend, a London resident who had returned to see family in India. His friend was onboard with his wife and two children. Sheikh recalled taking his friend to the airport 15 years ago, when he moved to London with high hopes for the future. 'Now I am here,' Sheikh said, his eyes wet with tears. 'This is unimaginable'.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
‘Unimaginable': families mourn dead in Air India crash
Search and rescue teams respond to the scene of a plane crash in Ahmedabad, India (AP pic) AHMEDABAD : In an echoing hall in India's Ahmedabad, mourning families gave DNA samples on Friday to identify relatives missing after a London-bound passenger jet crashed in a residential area. At least 265 people on board and on the ground were killed when the Air India 787-8 Dreamliner smashed into a residential area soon after takeoff on Thursday. Just one passenger miraculously survived the giant fireball. Ashfaque Nanabawa, 40, said he had come to find his cousin Akeel Nanabawa, who had been onboard with his wife and three-year-old daughter. He said they had spoken as his cousin sat in the plane just before takeoff. 'He called us and he said: 'I am in the plane and I have boarded safely and everything was okay'. That was his last call.' Nanabawa, speaking in the early hours of Friday morning, said he and his family had given DNA samples, but were yet to 'identify any of the bodies'. Indian police said at least 265 bodies had been recovered from the smouldering crash site — both from the wreckage of the plane and the medical staff accommodation into which the burning jet crashed. The toll may rise further as more bodies are located. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called the crash 'heartbreaking beyond words'. India's home minister Amit Shah, who visited the crash site and those injured in hospital on Thursday evening, said forensic laboratories would 'complete the DNA testing in the shortest possible time'. Shah said the final official toll would 'be declared only after DNA testing is completed'. On a raised platform, a dozen exhausted doctors worked to collect samples for the grim task of trying to identify bodies. 'We have taken samples of babies and those above 80 years old. I don't have words to explain this,' said a doctor, on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media. Air India said there were 169 Indian passengers, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and a Canadian on board the flight bound for London's Gatwick airport, as well as 12 crew members, making 242 onboard. Only one is confirmed to have survived, a British national. At least 24 people also died on the ground when the jet hit residential buildings. 'As doctors, you're always prepared for the worst right?' the medic added. 'But this is just overwhelming. Families are crying, looking for answers.' Above, the sounds of planes echoed, with the hall close to another airport. 'One person came to give the sample… his child, wife and mother were on the flight', the doctor added. 'What do I even say?' One woman, too grief-stricken to give her name, said her son-in-law had been killed. 'My daughter doesn't know that he's no more', she said, wiping away tears. 'I can't break the news to her, can someone else do that please?' Friends also arrived in a desperate search for news. Premal Mehta, 39, from Ahmedabad, said he did not want to believe his friend Mahesh Jeerawala had been killed. 'I am using everything in my power, political contacts, whatever it is, to find him', he said in desperation, as he supported his friend's brother, who was providing a DNA sample. Others had flown in seeking news, or to identify the dead. Ismail Sheikh said he had celebrated only days before with his friend, a London resident who had returned to see family in India. His friend was onboard with his wife and two children. Sheikh recalled taking his friend to the airport 15 years ago, when he moved to London with high hopes for the future. 'Now I am here,' Sheikh said, his eyes wet with tears. 'This is unimaginable'.
