Family says Canadian dentist was aboard Air India flight that crashed after takeoff

OTTAWA — The family of a Canadian citizen says he was among the passengers on an Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff. The man was Mississauga, Ont., dentist Niralee Sureshkumar Patel.

Niralee Patel’s wife confirmed that he was one of 240 passengers on the London-bound flight that crashed Thursday.

Patel’s dental clinic referred The Canadian Press to his wife, who said she was planning a trip to India with their one-year-old son.

“She was my wife. I’m not in a position to talk right now,” she said.

She declined to give her full name.

The plane crashed in a residential area of ​​Ahmedabad, a city of more than five million people in northwestern India.

No survivors have been identified, according to local police.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “devastated” to hear of the crash and was being kept informed. He confirmed that a Canadian citizen was on the flight.
He added that Canadian transport officials were in close contact with their international counterparts.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also described the incident as “heartbreaking beyond words,” writing on social media: “At this time of grief, my thoughts are with all those affected.”

A statement from King Charles said he and Queen Camilla were “deeply shocked by this horrific event.”

He added: “Our special prayers and deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends of all those affected by this tragic accident in their various countries.”

Air India said the flight was carrying 169 Indians, 53 British passengers, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian.

The plane crashed at 13:38 local time, five minutes after takeoff.

Indian television reported that the plane had crashed into the dining area of ​​a medical college dormitory, and images showed part of the plane on the building.

The flight was operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

According to the aviation safety database, this is the first accident involving a Boeing 787.

Air France has eight Boeing 787-8s and 32 787-9s in its fleet. WestJet also has seven Boeing 787-9s.

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