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Wales Online
18-06-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Family of Welsh businessman killed in Air India crash feels 'abandoned'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The brother of a highly-regarded Newport businessman, who died in the Air India plane crash with his wife and young daughter, said they feel "utterly abandoned". Akeel Nanabawa, 35, together with his wife Hanaa Vorajee and their four year old daughter Sara, met a tragic end when the aircraft they were aboard plunged into a residential district of Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff last Thursday. Hamzah Nanabawa, Akeel's sibling, remains uncertain about when his body will be returned to the family and is urgently seeking more support from the British government on site in India. A family representative told the BBC their plea for help: "We're not asking for miracles – we're asking for presence, for compassion, for action. Right now, we feel utterly abandoned." Despite providing DNA and a three-day wait, the family has yet to recover Akeel's body. The doomed flight, which crashed just moments post departure from Ahmedabad airport, was carrying 242 individuals including 53 Britons; astonishingly, there was one survivor, reports Wales Online. The Nanabawa family were travelling home to Gloucester on the flight. Mr Nanabawa told the BBC: "I need the UK government to come out by themselves, if they've given up all this big talk over in the UK, come out here and help." He said that there is no UK leadership in India and no crisis professionals stationed at the hospital. A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said a dedicated helpline has been set up to support families of the victims and UK air accident investigators are in India to support the authorities. "No-one from UK has even reached out to me, my family, to my sister-in-law's family. Nobody has. So you're saying no-one from the foreign office in the UK or here reached out to us at all, nobody," Mr Nanabawa said. "They haven't done anything for us [or] what we wanted. You have to understand, this is the highest, highest incident in the UK's history of 53 lives, and we are now on day four." (Image: James Manning/PA) He added: "All I want is you guys to come and help and help my brother, my sister-in-law, my niece and all the other 53 people that were on that plane. "Come and help them, please. Because they are grieving. They are hurt. They haven't got anybody. They [haven't got any] structure, no structure at all." Akeel grew up grew up in Newport and went to Caerleon Comprehensive School before founding executive recruitment agency Rec2Go in Gloucester. Members of the Newport community told WalesOnline they were shocked at the news of the family's tragic death. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox PE teacher at Caerleon Comprehensive School James Savastano said: "It's with great sadness that we have lost Akeel in the tragic Air India plane crash. "As a member of my form group he was well-liked and had a wide circle of friends within the year. He was a great personality and, for most of the time, a model student. "He was a talented rugby player and cricketer representing the school with prowess in both sports. "He and his three brothers were all top lads during their time at Caerleon Comp and I'm sure Akeel will be sorely missed by all of the Nanabawa family. Rest in peace Akeel." A Foreign Office spokesperson told the BBC: "Our staff continue to work around the clock in the UK and India to support the families and loved ones of all those impacted by the crash. "We have set up a Reception Centre at the Ummed Hotel, near the Ahmedabad airport, and have a dedicated helpline to provide support and advice for the families and friends of British nationals." The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now - here's how to sign up
North Wales Live
18-06-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
Family of Welsh businessman killed in Air India crash feels 'abandoned' as they try to bring body home
The brother of a highly-regarded Newport businessman, who died in the Air India plane crash with his wife and young daughter, said they feel "utterly abandoned". Akeel Nanabawa, 35, together with his wife Hanaa Vorajee and their four year old daughter Sara, met a tragic end when the aircraft they were aboard plunged into a residential district of Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff last Thursday. Hamzah Nanabawa, Akeel's sibling, remains uncertain about when he will be able to repatriate his brother's remains to the UK and is urgently seeking more support from the British government on site in India. A family representative told the BBC their plea for help: "We're not asking for miracles – we're asking for presence, for compassion, for action. Right now, we feel utterly abandoned." Despite providing DNA and a three-day wait, the family has yet to recover Akeel's body. The doomed flight, which crashed just moments post departure from Ahmedabad airport, was carrying 242 individuals including 53 Britons; astonishingly, there was one survivor, reports Wales Online. The Nanabawa family were travelling home to Gloucester on the flight. Mr Nanabawa told the BBC: "I need the UK government to come out by themselves, if they've given up all this big talk over in the UK, come out here and help." He said that there is no UK leadership in India and no crisis professionals stationed at the hospital. A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said a dedicated helpline has been set up to support families of the victims and UK air accident investigators are in India to support the authorities. "No-one from UK has even reached out to me, my family, to my sister-in-law's family. Nobody has. So you're saying no-one from the foreign office in the UK or here reached out to us at all, nobody," Mr Nanabawa said. "They haven't done anything for us [or] what we wanted. You have to understand, this is the highest, highest incident in the UK's history of 53 lives, and we are now on day four." He added: "All I want is you guys to come and help and help my brother, my sister-in-law, my niece and all the other 53 people that were on that plane. "Come and help them, please. Because they are grieving. They are hurt. They haven't got anybody. They [haven't got any] structure, no structure at all." Akeel grew up grew up in Newport and went to Caerleon Comprehensive School before founding executive recruitment agency Rec2Go in Gloucester. Members of the Newport community told WalesOnline they were shocked at the news of the family's tragic death. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox PE teacher at Caerleon Comprehensive School James Savastano said: "It's with great sadness that we have lost Akeel in the tragic Air India plane crash. "As a member of my form group he was well-liked and had a wide circle of friends within the year. He was a great personality and, for most of the time, a model student. "He was a talented rugby player and cricketer representing the school with prowess in both sports. "He and his three brothers were all top lads during their time at Caerleon Comp and I'm sure Akeel will be sorely missed by all of the Nanabawa family. Rest in peace Akeel." A Foreign Office spokesperson told the BBC: "Our staff continue to work around the clock in the UK and India to support the families and loved ones of all those impacted by the crash. "We have set up a Reception Centre at the Ummed Hotel, near the Ahmedabad airport, and have a dedicated helpline to provide support and advice for the families and friends of British nationals."
South Wales Argus
13-06-2025
- 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.
South Wales Argus
13-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Newport family who died in Air India crash 'widely loved'
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. The family, originally from Newport but living in Gloucester, were described as "kind" in a tribute shared by Imam Abdullah Samad. Mr Samad said: "We are heartbroken as we await further information regarding our beloved family members who were on board the Air India flight from Ahmedabad to Gatwick. "The news of this tragic incident has left us devastated, and we are still coming to terms with the enormity of what has happened. "This young family was incredibly close-knit – devoted parents and their beautiful young daughter." The family were active members of the community, regularly volunteering at a local Islamic school and other community projects. Hannaa was also a director at Peace Inclusion, an organisation aimed at fostering understanding of Islam through education and dialogue. Mr Samad added: "They were compassionate, active members of the community who regularly volunteered at our local Islamic school and for various local projects. "Their sense of justice and service extended far beyond Gloucester. "Together, they were committed advocates for humanitarian causes – particularly the suffering of innocent Palestinians and the urgent need for accessible medical care in parts of India. "They gave their time and energy to awareness campaigns and fundraising efforts, always guided by a strong sense of responsibility to help others." Their loss has left a void in the community, with Mr Samad describing the family as "a pillar of strength in our lives." He added: "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." The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this "incredibly painful period," thanking the community for their support and solidarity. Mr Nanabawa was a former pupil of Caerleon Comprehensive School and the University of South Wales before moving to Gloucester with his family. Friends and family have paid tribute to him on Facebook, describing him as "one of a kind" and a "devastating loss." 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.
