**Tributes Pour In for Welsh Family Lost in Tragic Air India Crash**
Heartfelt tributes are being paid following confirmation that a Welsh businessman and his family were among the victims of the Air India plane crash in western India. The crash, which occurred shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday morning, claimed more than two hundred lives and has left communities in both the UK and India in mourning.
Akeel Nanabawa, originally from Newport and most recently living in Gloucester, was identified as one of the passengers, along with his wife, Hannaa Vorajee, and their four-year-old daughter Sara. Family members confirmed to the BBC that the family of three was aboard the ill-fated Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick. The aircraft was carrying 242 people when it crashed into the grounds of a medical college, sparking a devastating fire.
The Gloucestershire Muslim Bereavement Council publicly expressed its sorrow on social media, describing itself as “profoundly heartbroken.” In their statement, they voiced solidarity with those grieving, stating that while words may fall short, “the outpouring of compassion from communities worldwide may offer some comfort.” The council also commended the family’s positive impact within the community, reflecting the widespread sense of loss.
Sara, the couple’s young daughter, was fondly remembered by Abdullah Samad, headteacher of her primary school and imam at the Masjid E Umar mosque. Mr Samad, speaking to BBC News, described Sara as a “beaming ray of sunshine” who brought joy to those around her. He revealed the family had been on a surprise trip to India, and recalled holding on to hope that they had somehow escaped the tragedy: “We were praying, hoping they weren’t involved, because miracles can happen. But our expectations are also realistic.”
Beyond their family life, Akeel Nanabawa was known for his philanthropic work and his role as founder of the executive recruitment agency Rec2Go. Mr Samad highlighted the family’s ongoing charity efforts, including fundraising for humanitarian causes in Gaza and providing medical support to those in need in India. Such initiatives have been remembered by those they helped and by members of the local community who have come forward to share their condolences and memories online.
Messages of sympathy have flooded Akeel’s Facebook page, with acquaintances recalling his time at Caerleon Comprehensive School and his professionalism and warmth. The tragedy has resonated particularly deeply in Newport and Gloucester, where the family’s roots run deep and their community engagement was widely appreciated.
Air India has since released further details, revealing that of the passengers on board, 169 were Indian nationals, with 53 citizens from the United Kingdom, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese included among the manifest. Tata Group, owners of Air India, pledged to offer compensation of nearly £86,000 to the families of those who lost their lives. The conglomerate has also committed to covering medical costs for survivors and supporting the rebuilding of the affected medical college.
Among the survivors, only one has so far been identified – Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national. Other British victims named include Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, a couple who ran a spiritual wellness centre. In an emotional video, recorded on their final night in India, they commented on the profound experiences they had during their travels.
Political leaders have also responded to the disaster. Leicester East MP Shivani Raja told BBC News that “a handful” of her constituents, members of the British-Gujarati community, are thought to be among those killed. She expressed her community’s collective shock and grief at the news, noting the profound bond between the UK and the Indian state of Gujarat.
The incident has sparked a wave of mourning, both in the immediate communities of the victims and across the broader UK diaspora connected to the region. As investigations continue, focus has turned to supporting the bereaved and ensuring those affected by the crash receive the help they need. In the wake of overwhelming loss, communities at home and abroad have united to remember the lives that were lost and to honour their legacy.