Air India plane crash: First British victims named as couple killed in tragedy | World | News
The first British victims believed to have been on board the tragic Air India crash have been named as couple Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek. The two men, who are understood to run a spiritual wellness centre, spoke of their “magical experience” in India in a heartbreaking final video.
Just after after taking off in Ahmedabad on Thursday, flight 171 exploded in a fire ball after plummeting to earth with 242 people onboard including 53 British nationals. The flight was en route to Gatwick airport. Among the passengers were 11 children. The names of the British passengers are believed to have been seen on flight logs.
On Tuesday, the Greenlaw-Meeks posted a video from a boutique hotel, The House of MG, in Ahmedabad, explaining how much they had enjoyed their trip. The Telegraph reports Fiongal said: “So it’s our last night in India and we have had a magical experience really, there have been some quite mind-blowing things that have happened.”
According to the newspaper Fiongal appeared on ITV’s This Morning in January to chat about people’s auras and what they mean. The publication also reports yoga retreat run by the couple, the Wellness Foundry, in south London and Ramsgate offers psychic readings, tarot, reiki and yoga.
It is understood to have collaborated with a number of high-profile brands including Google, and Netflix, according to the website. In January, Fiongal appeared on ITV’s This Morning to chat about people’s auras and what they mean.
A chilling mayday call from pilots of the doomed Air India Boeing flight that crashed in Ahmedabad this morning revealed the aircraft may have been suffering engine failure.
The Express understands that the last words heard over the radio during a Mayday call that Air Traffic Control did not have time to respond to were “engine failure”.
The airline’s chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran said: “With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event. At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families.
“We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted.”
UK officials are being deployed to India to support the investigation into the Ahmedabad plane crash.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said: “The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch has formally offered its assistance to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, India.
“In addition, the UK AAIB will have expert status in the Indian safety investigation. This is in accordance with Icao annex 13 because UK citizens were on board the aircraft.
“We are deploying a multidisciplinary investigation team to India to support the Indian-led investigation. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic accident.”
