Tributes have been paid to a couple along with their young daughter
Tributes have been paid to Welsh businessman Akeel Nanabawa. It’s reported he was travelling with his wife and young daughter on the Air India plane that crashesd in western India on Thursday morning.
Family members told the BBC that Akeel’s wife Hannaa Vorajee, and their four-year-old daughter Sara were travelling with him. The family, from Newport but currently living in Gloucester, were among 242 people onboard the flight when it crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport.
The Gloucestershire Muslim Bereavement Council (GMBC) said it was “profoundly heartbroken” by the news, sharing on a post on Facebook: “During this moment of overwhelming sorrow, our hearts go out to all those left behind.
“No words can truly ease the pain of such a profound loss, but we pray that the family may find solace in the tremendous outpouring of compassion and solidarity from communities across the world.
“May their cherished memories provide comfort, and may they rest in eternal peace.”
Abdullah Samad, headteacher of Sara’s primary school, said the child was a “beaming ray of sunshine” who “lit up the classroom”, reports the BBC.
Mr Samad, who is also imam at the Masjid E Umar mosque, told BBC News the family were on a surprise trip to India.
“We were praying, hoping they weren’t involved because miracles can happen and our prayers are continuous but our expectations are also realistic,” he said.
“They touched lots of people and they will be missed by lots of people.
“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.
A number of people have also been posting messages of condolence on Akeel’s Facebook page, where it states the 35-year-old attended Caerleon Comprehensive School.
Mr Nananbawa was founder of executive recruitment agency Rec2Go.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was carrying over 240 people from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick when it crashed into a medical college, triggering a massive fire. You can stay updated on the latest news about the crash here.
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh who is a 40-year-old British national is believed to be the sole survivor.
Air India confirmed the flight was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese passengers.
Tata Group, which owns Air India, announced it will provide compensation of around £86,000 to the families of those who died.
It also pledged to cover medical expenses for the injured and assist with rebuilding the medical college.
Other British travellers confirmed to have been onboard include two men named as couple Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek.
They are understood to have run a spiritual wellness centre, and spoke of their “magical experience” in India in a heartbreaking final video.
Fiongal said: “So it’s our last night in India and we have had a magical experience really, there have been some quite mind-blowing things that have happened.”
An MP has also said she believes “a handful” of Leicester residents were among those killed.
Leicester East member Shivani Raja told BBC News that people in the community she represents, which has a high population of British-Gujaratis, were “all really horrified and devastated waking up to such tragic news”.
She said: “So far my understanding is that there are a handful of Leicester residents who were on board that flight but I am still awaiting for official reports on that.”
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