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A British couple are feared to be among the victims of the devastating Air India flight AI171 crash, which killed more than 200 people shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, India.
Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek and Jamie Meek, based in London, had been travelling through India before the fatal journey. Just hours before the crash, the couple posted a video from the departure gate at Ahmedabad airport.
“Goodbye India”
“We are at the airport, just boarding. Goodbye India,” Fiongal said in the video, posted to the Wellness Foundry’s Instagram account. “Ten-hour flight back to England!” Jamie added, as they smiled and laughed together on camera.
In a reflective message during the clip, Fiongal shared: “My biggest takeaway is not to lose your patience with your partner. We’re going back happily, happily calm.”
The couple were active figures at the Wellness Foundry, a London-based spiritual centre aimed at guiding people through personal growth and spiritual awakening. They had previously appeared on ITV’s This Morning to promote their work.
53 British Nationals Among 242 Onboard
Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport on its way to London Gatwick. On board were 242 passengers and crew, including 53 British nationals, 169 Indian citizens, one Canadian and seven Portuguese.
The crash occurred around around1.40 p.m. local time on Wednesday, just minutes after take-off. Pilots issued a mayday call before losing contact with air traffic control.
Crash Site in a Densely Populated Area
Photos from the scene showed thick black smoke and flames engulfing buildings near Ahmedabad’s BJ Medical College. The aircraft is believed to have struck a residential area housing medical interns. Between 50 and 60 students are feared to have died.
Flight tracking service Flightradar24 said the last signal from the aircraft came at just 625 feet altitude, seconds after departure. The aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, had not reported any prior mechanical faults.
This is the first recorded crash involving a Boeing 787 aircraft, according to the Aviation Safety Network.
Global Reaction
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the incident “devastating,” while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described it as “heartbreaking beyond words.”
Buckingham Palace confirmed King Charles III is being kept informed of the tragedy.
The cause of the crash remains unknown. Both black boxes—containing cockpit voice recordings and flight data—have reportedly been recovered and are being analysed by aviation authorities.
Live Updates on M10News
M10News continues to follow this developing story. Stay tuned to M10News.com for exclusive survivor stories, tributes to the victims, and updates on the crash investigation.
By F. Dayo Olusola | M10News.com | Category: World|12 June 2025
