Dr. Nirali Patel was on her journey back to Toronto from a social trip in India when tragedy struck.
Patel was among the 241 passengers who died when an Air India flight bound for London crashed into a college hostel in northwestern India after takeoff on Thursday. It is unclear how many people on the ground were killed in the crash.
The 32-year-old dentist who lived in Etobicoke was the lone Canadian national on board the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
“It’s absolutely shocking. There’s no words in this grievance,” community leader Don Patel, who knows the family, told CTV News Toronto on Thursday. He said Nirali was visiting India for four or five days.
“She was coming back. And we heard this tragic thing happened as soon as we wake up.”
The husband of Patel briefly spoke with The Canadian Press, confirming he was in the process of booking a flight for himself and their young son to India.
Patel worked at a Mississauga dental clinic. According to the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, she got her dental degree in India in 2016 and received her licence in Canada in 2019.
Don said Nirali’s parents, brother and sister-in-law live in Brampton.
“I spoke to her brother very briefly this morning while we were trying to help and arrange their travel going (to India),” Don said, sharing that the brother was in shock and wasn’t able to talk much.
“We’ll try to give them a strength, whichever way we can. Sometimes words might not help them, but moral support or just showing (up) and being there with them gives them so much strength.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford offered his condolences in a post on X, saying he was saddened to learn about the Canadian who was among those who died.
“On behalf of the people of Ontario, I extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of every victim. We are keeping you in our thoughts during this difficult time,” Ford’s post reads.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “devastated” to learn of the crash and has been receiving updates on the situation.
“My thoughts are with the loved ones of everyone on board,” his post on X reads.
The prime minister added that Canadian transport officials are in close contact with their international counterparts.
The Hindu Federation said in a statement the crash was not just a tragedy for India but for all communities connected by shared heritage, faith and humanity.
“This devastating loss touches us collectively,” Hindu Federation President Pandit Roopnauth Sharma said.
“Among the deceased are innocent passengers, students and members of the Hindu community and other faiths whose lives were full of promise and purpose. As Hindus, we believe in the eternal atman, the soul’s indestructibility—and while their bodies have perished, their spirits endure.”
The federation is encouraging all member temples and organizations to hold special memorial prayers this weekend.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. India’s aviation regulatory body said the aircraft gave a mayday call, signalling an emergency, but then did not respond to the calls made by the airport traffic control.
It is the first crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, according to the Aviation Safety Network.
With files from The Canadian Press and The Associated Press
