Two Manipur Crew Members Confirmed Dead in AI-171 Crash

Imphal, June 12: The two crew members from Manipur who were aboard the ill-fated Air India flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick have been confirmed dead, according to official sources. The flight crashed shortly after take-off near Ahmedabad on Thursday.

The Air India flight, heading to London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed in Ahmedabad shortly after take-off, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed.

The flight, AI171, had 242 people on board, 232 passengers and 12 crew members. Among the deceased crew members were Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma from Thoubal district and Singson Lamnunthem from Imphal West. Both had been displaced by the Manipur conflict and their families are currently living in Kangpokpi.

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Family members of both women said they last spoke to them just hours before the aircraft took off. Lamnunthem had reportedly joined Air India in 2023.

Lamnunthem belonged to the Kuki community and was among those displaced by the ongoing violence. Nganthoi Sharma, from the Meitei community, also leaves behind a grieving family. A family member stated they were too distraught to speak.

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Local MLA Surjakumar Okram visited Sharma’s home and expressed his condolences to the bereaved family.

Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh posted on X (formerly Twitter), “I am deeply shocked and grieved by the tragic Air India flight crash near Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.”

(Newmai News Network/UT Desk)