Two cabin crew members from Manipur among victims in AI crash

Two cabin crew members from Manipur -Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam from Thoubal and Lamnunthem Singson from Kangpokpi – were among those onboard Air India flight AI171, which crashed shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday.
The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner went down near Meghaninagar at around 1.17pm with 242 people onboard, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew.
Rescue operations are ongoing, and the cause of the crash is under investigation.
Twenty-one-year-old cabin crew member Nganthoi Sharma Khongbrailakpam was the daughter of K Nandeshkumar alias Icha Sharma and K Mala Devi of Thoubal Awang Leikai.
Nganthoi served as a cabin crew member with Air India for the past two years. She was the middle child among three sisters and known to be cheerful and dedicated to her profession.
The entire locality has expressed shock and grief over the tragic loss. Heartbreakingly, she last spoke to her family at around 9 am on Thursday.
Lamnunthem Singson, a resident of Kangpokpi ward no. 2 was the daughter of late Letminthang. Her family had stayed in Imphal’s Old Lambulane before the ethnic violence that erupted in the state on May 3, 2023.
Meanwhile, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Balla and former chief minister N Biren Singh were among others who expressed their deep sorrow over the tragic aircraft crash in Ahmedabad.
In posts on social media Imphal Raj Bhavan said “The Hon’ble Governor of Manipur has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic and shocking incident of an aircraft crash that occurred during a flight from Ahmedabad to London.”
He prayed to the Almighty for the speedy recovery of all those injured in this unfortunate mishap, it added.
Former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh also expressed shock and grief over the incident.
Singh, in a post on Facebook, wrote, “I am deeply shocked and grieved by the tragic Air India flight crash near Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad, this afternoon.
“This heartbreaking incident has shaken the entire nation. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families during this unimaginably difficult time” Singh added.