“This is one of the deadliest plane crashes in India’s recent history”. Father Cedric Prakash, a Jesuit priest based in Ahmedabad, offers his clear and sorrowful reflections: “An Air India flight had just taken off and had hardly reached 800 feet when it crashed. It was a Dreamliner, believed to be one of the safest models. Yet it exploded in a ball of fire and crashed into the Medical College hostel.” Flight AI-171 was bound for London Gatwick. There were 242 passengers and crew members on board. 245 people died. Only one person survived. There are also victims on the ground. “The canteen building that was hit,” he points out, “was located in the BJ Medical College. Five young doctors are reported to have died, but the death toll could be much higher. It’s very sad.” The Jesuit centre is not far from the airport. “We only found out about the accident when we started receiving phone calls. Some of our friends rushed to the crash site. There were people of all religions and denominations. However, they were not permitted to approach the scene. The civil aviation authorities, the police, and the army had already cordoned off the entire crash site for safety reasons.”
About: Fr Cedric Prakash
Fr Cedric Prakash is an Indian Jesuit priest based in Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat. He is an acclaimed human rights activist and a strong advocate for social justice, reconciliation and peace, particularly with regard to religious minorities; a highly influential and respected figure in civil society, he is also an outspoken critic of injustice. He is committed to advancing interfaith dialogue and advocacy for promoting informed and participatory citizenship. Fr Prakash is frequently among the first to respond to social emergencies in India. He is the author of articles, appeals and public statements. A tireless advocate for truth and accountability on the part of institutions, he encourages the Church to be a “beacon of hope” for those afflicted by suffering.
Life stories and responsibilities
Father Prakash recounts the faces and stories of the victims. “Among them were former Gujarat chief minister Vijai Rupani, who was on his way to London to visit his daughter; a newlywed bride who was going to meet her husband for the first time after their wedding; a Christian family; and many others. Most of them were Indian, but there were also British and Portuguese citizens, and other nationalities.” The story of co-pilot Clive Kunder is particularly touching. A serious, highly trained young man, he was a member of the Olep parish and a former student at Wilson College in Mumbai. “His commitment to aviation was renowned. The news of his death has shocked his family, colleagues, and all those who knew him. It’s a tragic loss.” The cause of the crash is unknown at this stage. “It appears to have been caused by a technical malfunction. The necessary altitude was not reached by the aircraft. We have no precise information about what happened; the official report has not yet been released.”
His voice is firm as he says, “I call on the government and the civil aviation authorities to release a White Paper. If it was just a technical failure, then Boeing or whoever is responsible must be held accountable. The Dreamliner has been reported to have several known flaws. This needs to be investigated.”
-
- (Foto ANSA/SIR)
-
- (Foto ANSA/SIR)
Prayer and awareness
Father Prakash posted messages of condolence on social media soon after the crash: “Tomorrow evening, we will hold a candlelight vigil. We ask for your prayers. A Mass of Suffrage for all the deceased, both those on board and on the ground, together with the Missionaries of Charity, will be celebrated by me tomorrow morning.” But that is not enough. “Offering messages of sympathy is important, but so is taking action. Education and awareness-raising efforts are needed. Even people travelling must be made aware of their rights. In India, those travelling by plane are often middle class or wealthy individuals, but they must be informed too.” He mentioned the ongoing efforts:
“The Tata Group, which owns Air India after nationalisation, will offer 10 million rupees to the families of each victim. That is a huge amount. However, we are not yet sure if it will be enough.”
He adds: “Today, a Catholic chief nurse at a public hospital was urgently summoned. She was unable to attend our meeting. She was probably asked to help identify the charred and unrecognisable bodies. It’s just terrible.”
A Church that accompanies
Father Prakash is forthright when talking about India: “There are many challenges. I engage with Christian and Muslim minorities, as well as individuals pressured by extremist groups. There is a need for greater awareness and educational initiatives. The Church can provide valuable advocacy.” He continues with a broader reflection: “Even just thinking about doing something is challenging. It is not comparable to a train accident with local victims. The victims of this disaster were on their way to London and other parts of the world. There is only so much we can do.”
“We are in the Jubilee Year,” he concludes. “We are called to be pilgrims of hope. In tragic times like these, we must be signs of light. We must all be flickering flames, beacons of hope.”
His city is shrouded in silence. “Sadness hangs over the whole of Ahmedabad,” he says. “The atmosphere is one of shock. This tragedy touches everyone: it touched young doctors who were having lunch and passengers eager to reach their loved ones. We must offer consolation. May the Lord welcome them into his peace. May we, as a Church, support those who are grieving.”
