A Mississauga-based dentist has been confirmed as the Canadian citizen aboard the Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad, India, on Thursday, killing at least 240 people in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters in decades.
Dr. Nirali Sureshkumar Patel was en route to London when the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner went down just five minutes after takeoff, crashing into a residential area that included a medical college hostel. Her husband, speaking briefly by phone, confirmed her identity and said he was arranging to travel to India with their one-year-old child. “That was my wife,” he said emotionally, requesting privacy and declining to share his name.
The crash site in the city of Ahmedabad, home to more than five million people, is now the focus of a massive recovery and investigation effort. A nearby hospital reported receiving 186 bodies. Among the confirmed fatalities were at least five students from the hostel. One person has reportedly survived the crash, according to a local doctor, and was visited by India’s Home Minister in hospital.
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his devastation over the tragedy, confirming that one Canadian was on the flight. He said Canadian transport authorities are in close contact with their international counterparts for updates.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also issued a message of condolence, saying, “We are saddened by the loss of a Mississauga resident in this heartbreaking tragedy. Our thoughts are with all the families grieving today.”
Dr. Patel, a graduate of a dental college in India, had built a career in Canada and ran her own clinic, the Heritage Dental Centre. According to the clinic’s website, she was deeply committed to her work and known for her compassion, volunteering annually at a free dental camp.
“The feeling that my work has made a difference in someone’s life brightens my day,” she once said, reflecting on why she chose the profession.
Leaders across the globe have reacted to the tragedy. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the crash as “heartbreaking beyond words,” while King Charles and Queen Camilla issued a joint statement saying they were “desperately shocked by the terrible events” and extended their “deepest sympathy” to all affected across multiple nations.
Air India confirmed the flight was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. The aircraft struck the dining area of the hostel after takeoff at 1:38 p.m. local time. Television footage showed parts of the plane embedded into the top of the building.
This marks the first crash involving a Boeing 787 aircraft, according to the Aviation Safety Network. While Air Canada and WestJet operate similar models in their fleets, both airlines reassured the public of their confidence in the aircraft’s safety, with WestJet emphasizing its trust in its training, staff, and maintenance standards.