British gay couple posted 'Goodbye India' video before boarding doomed Air India flight
A British couple who run a spiritual wellness company in London posted a 'goodbye' video from the Ahmedabad airport, describing their “magical experience” in India as they waited to board the doomed Air India flight on Thursday.
Jamie Ray Greenlaw-Meek and Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek are believed to be among 53 British nationals who boarded the aircraft that crashed with 242 people onboard, moments after takeoff, the Independent reported.
In a video shared on their company, The Wellness Foundry’s Instagram handle, Fiongal, a former fashion designer, said: “We are at the airport, just boarding, goodbye India”.
His husband then joked about the 10-hour-long flight.
In another clip shared on social media, they described their trip to India as a “magical experience”.
They also promised to post a vlog with their followers about “mind blowing things” they did in India.
The couple, from London, were returning home after a 10-day wellness retreat, Jamie Meek’s brother told UK media.
“We were expecting him home tonight. He should have landed at 6.30pm and then driven up for about 11 to get his dog who is staying with our Mum," Nick Meek, a caretaker from Birmingham, told the Independent.
“She is not in a good way. It is all very raw for her at the moment. It’s a lot to take in and we only heard this news a couple of hours ago.”
In one of the worst-ever aviation tragedies in India, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London with 242 people onboard, crashed immediately after take-off from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon. All except one died in the crash.
One person, the passenger of seat No. 11A, survived the crash miraculously, the Ahmedabad Police said.
AI171, carrying 242 people, went down within five minutes of departure at 1:38 PM, sending up plumes of smoke near the crash site.
It hit a medical college hostel, leaving five students dead as well.
The flight carried 169 Indian passengers, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian.
Dense smoke was seen rising from the Dharpur area near Meghaninagar in Ahmedabad, prompting the immediate deployment of fire brigades and emergency response units. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the crash.
A video of the aircraft showed it was struggling to gain altitude before it slammed on the ground and exploded in a massive ball of fire at 1.38 pm. It was loaded with fuel since it was flying a long distance to London.
Smoke from Ahmedabad plane crash near airport. #ahmedabadplanecrash #planecrash pic.twitter.com/CLfxwS4Ajx
— India Blooms (@indiablooms) June 12, 2025
Shortly after take-off, the pilot sent out a mayday call. There was no response after that to repeated calls from the air traffic controller, according to reports.
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles

Hijab Row: Union minister Giriraj Singh defends Nitish Kumar, sparks fresh outrage
Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Wednesday strongly defended Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar amid the growing controversy over an incident in which Kumar was seen pulling down the veil of a woman doctor during an official event, triggering widespread political backlash.

Income tax officials search Shilpa Shetty’s home in probe linked to Bastian Restaurant
Income tax officials conducted searches at actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra’s residence on Thursday in connection with a case linked to her upscale restaurant brand, Bastian, media reports said.

YouTuber Anurag Dwivedi under ED lens for promoting illegal betting apps, luxury cars seized
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its probe into alleged money laundering linked to illegal online betting and gambling platforms, conducting searches at the residence of YouTuber Anurag Dwivedi in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao.

‘Greatest strategic challenge since 1971’: Shashi Tharoor-led panel flags Bangladesh crisis for India
New Delhi/IBNS: India is facing its “greatest strategic challenge” in Bangladesh since the 1971 Liberation War, a parliamentary committee chaired by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has warned.
Latest News

Chaos in Dhaka! Protesters assault New Age Editor, burn down newspaper offices amid deadly unrest

After campus shootings, Trump suspends green card lottery programme
Big global recognition: Oman’s Sultan bestows prestigious ‘Order of Oman’ on PM Modi

Sourav Ganguly sues local Argentina Fan Club president for Rs. 50 crore for linking him to Messi event chaos

