Latest news with #HannaaVorajee
The Independent
40 minutes ago
- General
- The Independent
Family of Air India crash victims speak of their ‘tremendous' loss
The family of a couple who died with their daughter in the Air India plane crash say they will be missed 'tremendously'. Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee and their four-year-old daughter Sara Nanabawa died when the plane carrying 242 people crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, in western India. Mr Nanabawa's cousin, Zaheera, said he was the 'glue' that held their family together. 'We are going to miss them tremendously, but hopefully they're together,' she said. 'That does give us a lot of peace because they were so closely knit together as a family.'
South Wales Argus
15 hours ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Caerleon School pays tribute to victims of Air India crash
Akeel Nanabawa, Hannaa Vorajee, and their four-year-old daughter Sara Nanabawa were returning to the UK from a surprise trip to India when their plane crashed into a residential area, hitting a hospital and a student hostel. Mr Nanabawa was a former pupil of Caerleon Comprehensive School and the University of South Wales before moving to Gloucester with his family. Head teacher of Caerleon Comprehensive School Lucy Purcell said: 'We at Caerleon Comprehensive School are deeply saddened to hear of the death of former pupil, Akeel Nanabawa and his wife, Hanna Vorajee and young daughter. 'Akeel is fondly remembered as an excellent student and someone who was well liked by staff and students. We send our deepest sympathies to his family.' A spokesperson for Newport City Council said: 'We were saddened to hear that the victims included a former Newport family - Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee and their four-year-old daughter Sara Nanabawa - and our thoughts are with their loved ones at this terrible time. As a mark of respect, the flag outside the Civic Centre will be flown at half-mast today.' More than 200 people including many Britons were on the flight when it crashed. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this "incredibly painful period," thanking the community for their support and solidarity. The family have asked the media and public not to contact them at this time and have said that any verified updates will be shared through the appropriate channels.
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
'Loved' Air India crash victims remembered
The "heartbroken" family of three victims of the Air India plane crash have paid tribute to their "kind and deeply respected" loved 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 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. 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. He 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. 'Shared pain' 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.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
British victims feared dead as more than 240 people killed in Air India plane crash
Downing Street says the public should be prepared for a significant loss of British lives after an Air India flight slammed into a building in India, killing 241 people on board, according to officials. A British family of three who were killed on board the Gatwick-bound flight were identified by the Gloucester Muslim Community as Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee and their four-year-old daughter, Sara. Sara was a 'ray of sunshine' who 'lit up the classroom', said Abdullah Samad, headteacher of her primary school. He said the married couple were well known for their charity work and generosity. 'They touched lots of people and they will be missed by lots of people,' he told the BBC. 'They helped fundraise for the humanitarian efforts in Gaza and medical care for poor individuals in India. That was part of their service to the community,' he said. The couple ran an outsourcing services business, Iceberg, with bases in both Gloucester and Ahmedabad. The company website says Mr Nanabawa enjoyed playing sport and socialising, and Ms Vorajee worked for sister company Rec2go after completing a degree in midwifery. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick had 242 people on board, including 12 crew members, when it crashed in a residential area. Air India said 241 people had been confirmed dead. A British couple who ran a spiritual wellness company were also thought to be among the victims. Jamie Ray Greenlaw-Meek and his husband Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek, from London, were returning home on the flight after a 10-day wellness retreat, Jamie Meek's brother said. Their company, the Wellness Foundry, which is in Vauxhall, south London, offers psychic readings, tarot cards and aura readings, and has worked with Netflix, Google and Dior. Its website says Fiongal founded the company in 2018 after experiencing a spiritual awakening following a mysterious illness. His husband joined the team in 2023 as co-director and head of events, and offered psychic readings and life coaching. In January, Fiongal appeared on ITV's This Morning to talk about the meanings of people's auras. A clip shows him joking and laughing with presenters Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard before performing a reading. On Instagram, the Wellness Foundry described the appearance as their 'biggest gig so far', adding that it was 'very nerve-wracking' but that he was 'honoured to chat about one of his favourite topics to such a big audience'. As they waited to board their flight in Ahmedabad, the couple posted a video from the airport about their 'magical experience' in India. Of the 230 passengers, 169 were Indian, 53 were British, seven were Portuguese and one was Canadian, Air India said. After issuing a mayday distress signal, the aircraft quickly lost contact with air traffic control, before slamming into a medical college, sparking a huge fireball. At least five medical students were killed and about 50 were injured, according to Divyansh Singh, vice-president of the Federation of All India Medical Association.
ITV News
2 days ago
- Business
- ITV News
Welsh businessman and family reportedly onboard crashed Air India jet
A Newport man and his wife and daughter are among the 53 Britons who were onboard the crashed Air India plane, ITV Wales understands. The flight AI171, which was headed to Gatwick, crashed with 242 people on board, 230 passengers and 12 crew, five minutes after taking off at 1:38 pm local time, the airline said. ITV Wales understands that businessman Akeel Nanabawa was on the flight with his wife, Hannaa Vorajee and their daughter. It is understood Mr Nanabawa, who grew up in Newport, lives in Gloucestershire with his family. A community leader supporting the family said, ''During this difficult time, we kindly ask everyone to avoid speculation or sharing unverified information. "The family is already going through enough and needs space and privacy.'' Pictures from the scene showed thick black smoke rising up into the sky after the plane crashed, with part of the aircraft pictured resting on top of a building. Local media outlets reported that the plane crashed on top of the dining area of a medical college hostel. It was unclear if any medical students were present inside the building at the time of the crash. Pieces of the aircraft's landing gear, fuselage and tail could all be seen protruding from the building. Tata Sons, which owns Air India, said it will offer around £86,000 to the families of each person who died in the Ahmedabad plane crash. The company said it would also cover the medical expenses of those injured as Air India's chief executive, Campbell Wilson, expressed his 'deep sorrow' following the crash.
