A horrific plane crash in Ahmedabad killed 241 individuals on an Air India flight heading to London, with a sole survivor. Among the dead was Nirali Patel, an Indian-origin dentist from Etobicoke, Toronto, who was the sole Canadian victim in the disaster. The flight departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday and crashed moments later.
Nirali, who was visiting India for a short ‘social visit’, was set to head back to Canada when tragedy hit. CTV News cited that her husband had planned to join her with their one-year-old daughter but remained behind. “It’s absolutely shocking. There are no words in this grievance,” said community leader Don Patel, who knew Nirali and her family.
According to Don, Nirali had visited India for just four or five days. Her immediate family; her parents, brother, and sister-in-law reside in Brampton. Don added that Nirali’s brother was too stunned to speak when he received news of the crash. “He was in shock and wasn’t able to talk much,” he said.
Professionally, Nirali worked at a dental clinic in Mississauga. She completed her dental degree in India in 2016 and later earned her license in Canada in 2019. Her tragic death prompted a heartfelt message from Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who said on X: “I’m saddened to learn that a Canadian from Mississauga, Ontario was among those lost in the tragic Air India crash near Ahmedabad. In the name of the people of Ontario, I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to the families and relatives of all the victims.
The doomed flight, which was heading to London Gatwick Airport (LGW), had 230 passengers and 12 crew aboard, comprising 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian; Nirali Patel.
The accident happened at around 1:39 pm local time (08:09 GMT). After the crash, an extensive emergency operation was launched. The Indian Army’s Golden Katar Division, six teams of NDRF, police forces, fire trucks, and ambulances were rushed to the scene to deal with rescue and recovery operations. Up to 265 bodies were taken to the city’s civil hospital, said police officers.
