The tragedy of the Air India flight that crashed on take off in Ahmedabad has taken the wind out of all our sails. Every single life lost represents the trauma and suffering of a family, of friends, of a community and of course, nations. We all satwatching the tragedy unfold in front of our eyes. It was difficult to comprehend the magnitude of the crash and its ramification. Not only did everyone, bar one incredibly lucky person, lose their lives, but Indians living their day-to-day life got caught up in this tragedy and they lost theirs as well.
As news came through of each British tragedy, their unique lives were shared with all of us. We saw the good side of people who set up ‘go fund me’ pages to raise funds for different families. Six figure sums have already been raised and one is left in awe of the human spirit and the generosity of people.
However, amidst this human tragedy we also have to face some negatives. One that has upset me is the level of support provided by our British government to British families who have lost their loved ones.
Comments from some of the families include:
‘There is no UK leadership here, no medical team, no crisis professionals stationed at the hospital’
‘We are forced to make appointments to see consular staff based 20 minutes away in a hotel, while our loved ones lie unidentified in an overstretched and under-resourced hospital’
‘We're not asking for miracles - we're asking for presence, for compassion, for action’
‘Right now, we feel utterly abandoned’
‘Our loved ones were British citizens. They deserved better in life. They certainly deserve better in death’
‘We really think people need to know that we’ve had no support – and they’re British citizens. Yet no one from the Government has contacted us to ask, ‘Can we do anything to help?’
These are just a few of the comments. I am left wondering, would a British government treat victims and their families in this fashion had the accident happened in say the USA, or Europe?
I do hope the comments so far are just those from those who might have slipped through the net, and not the shared experience of all the families. It is the responsibility of the British government to put in place, immediately, support that is local, easily accessible, and all encompassing. We have 53 British families who have lost a loved one, and in some cases, more than one loved one. Surely the least this government can do is be by their side at this most devastating time in their lives.
A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) spokeswoman said: “Our staff continue to work around the clock in the UK and India to support the families and loved ones of all those impacted by the crash.We have set up a Reception Centre at the Ummed Hotel, near the Ahmedabad airport, and have a dedicated helpline to provide support and advice for the families and friends of British nationals – friends or family should call 020 7008 5000.If you are in India, you should call +91 (11) 24192100 for support, including through in-person consular staff who are available to support families of British nationals, including accompanying them to the hospital.”
In light of the experience of some of the families,it suggests that maybe the level of coordination the FCDO might have hoped for is not being realised in practice. This is a time when we all need to be on the same page. I hope the cry’s of those in need are heard by the FCDO and they can quickly remedy any local failings or gaps.
I refuse to speculate on the reasons for the crash. There are many in the media, as well as some politicians, who have expressed their so called ‘expert’ opinions on this tragedy. It is of course important to know as quickly as possible if it might be a technical issue, and if so, to make sure the rest of the fleet is in sound order. However, speculating for clicks on social media, or to show off that you have some profound secret information is in my view unacceptable. It’s time to support the families in anyway that is doable by all of us. Sometimes this support is not to speculate and make matters worse. I for one will wait for the official report to come out before I ponder if it is reasonable to put my non-expertise in play.
At this time we pray for those who have perished, for their loved ones and the whole community. Aum Shanti ShantiShanti.