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Days after Air India crash, DNA sample of only one British national passenger pending, says Govt official

Fiongal, a tarot reader, had quit his job as a fashion designer to start his spiritual wellness brand, offering services such as psychic readings, tarot readings, reiki healing, sound baths, psychic development courses, past-life regression therapy and bespoke events.

The wreckage of the Air India plane that crashed in Ahmedabad last week. (Express Photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)The wreckage of the Air India plane that crashed in Ahmedabad last week. (Express File Photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)

Of the 241 passengers, who lost their lives on the ill-fated Air India AI-171 plane that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, the DNA sample of only one passenger is still awaited even as samples of rest of the 240 deceased passengers have been collected at Kasauti Bhavan in BJ Medical College, a Gujarat government official said on Tuesday.

British passengers Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek and Jamie Ray Meek, founders of The Wellness Foundry, were returning to the UK after their visit to India for an Ayurvedic retreat and were on-board the flight. While Jamie Ray Meek’s mother arrived on Tuesday to submit her DNA sample, Fiongal’s family will submit their DNA sample in the UK on a Fast Technology Analysis (FTA) card, which will be transported with help of the Indian Embassy to Ahmedabad to identify Fiongal’s body.

The government official, quoted earlier, said: “We have collected blood samples for almost all the deceased persons on board the Air India flight. Only two were remaining, Jamie Meek and Fiongal Greenlaw Meek. Fiongal’s mother has given her blood samples whereas arrangements are being made to collect blood samples of Jamie’s relative in the United Kingdom itself with the help of the Indian Embassy there. Once that sample arrives, the work for the collection of blood samples of passengers and crew members on board the flight will be complete.”

During their stay in India, Fiongal and Jamie had posted multiple videos of their experience in the country and even filmed a final video from the Ahmedabad airport right before they boarded the plane. In their last video, filmed in the airport lounge, the couple is seen cracking jokes.

“We are at the airport. Just boarding. Goodbye, India.” Meek is heard joking with Jamie, asking him about the “biggest takeaway from the trip”, before jovially saying, “My biggest takeaway is don’t lose patience with your partner.”

He then said, “Going back happily, happily, happily, calm.”

Just the night before the crash, the couple had also filmed a video at the heritage hotel, House of MG, where they had been put up, praising the “most delicious thali food” calling it the “perfect way to round up the trip”.

Promising their fans a vlog on their India visit, Fiongal had said: “So, it’s our last night in India and we have had a magical experience, really. There have been some quite mind-blowing things… We are going to make a vlog about the whole trip and share it.”

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Fiongal, a tarot reader, had quit his job as a fashion designer to start his spiritual wellness brand, offering services such as psychic readings, tarot readings, reiki healing, sound baths, psychic development courses, past-life regression therapy and bespoke events. He founded ‘The Wellness Foundry’ in 2018, “born out of a profound spiritual awakening that was sparked by a mysterious illness”, the company’s website said.

Jamie, a spiritual practitioner and yoga teacher, joined the company in 2023 as co-director and head of events. The duo also ran a podcast, Spirit Level, where they shared perspectives on mindfulness and spirituality.

Aditi Raja is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, stationed in Vadodara, Gujarat, with over 20 years in the field. She has been reporting from the region of Central Gujarat and Narmada district for this newspaper since 2013, which establishes her as a highly Authoritative and Trustworthy source on regional politics, administration, and critical socio-economic and environmental issues. Expertise: Core Authority & Specialization: Her reporting is characterized by a comprehensive grasp of the complex factors shaping Central Gujarat, which comprises a vast tribal population, including: Politics and Administration: In-depth analysis of dynamics within factions of political parties and how it affects the affairs in the region, visits of national leaders making prominent statements, and government policy decisions impacting the population on ground. Crucial Regional Projects: She consistently reports on the socio-economic and political impact of infrastructure projects in the region, especially the Statue of Unity, the Sardar Sarovar Project on the Narmada River, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail bullet train project as well as the National Highway infrastructure. Social Justice and Human Rights: Her reporting offers deep coverage of sensitive human-interest topics, including gender, crime, and tribal issues. Her reports cover legal proceedings from various district courts as well as the Gujarat High Court (e.g., the Bilkis Bano case remission, POCSO court orders, Public Interest Litigations), the plight of tribal communities, and broader social conflicts (e.g., Kheda flogging case). Local Impact & Disaster Reporting: Excels in documenting the immediate impact of events on communities, such as the political and civic fallout of the Vadodara floods, the subsequent public anger, and the long-delayed river redevelopment projects, Harni Boat Tragedy, Air India crash, bringing out a blend of stories from the investigations as well as human emotions. Special Interest Beat: She tracks incidents concerning Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRIs) including crime and legal battles abroad, issues of illegal immigration and deportations, as well as social events connecting the local Gujarati experience to the global diaspora. ... Read More

Parimal A Dabhi works with The Indian Express as Chief of Bureau, focusing on the state of Gujarat. Leveraging his seniority and access, Dabhi is recognized for his reporting on the complex interplay of law, politics, social justice, and governance within the region. Expertise & Authority Core Authority (Social Justice and Law): Dabhi is a key source for in-depth coverage of caste-based violence, discrimination, and the state's response to social movements, particularly those involving Patidar, Dalit and OBC communities. His reporting focuses on the societal and legal fallout of these issues: Caste and Discrimination: He has reported extensively on social boycotts and instances of violence against Dalits (such as the attack on a Dalit wedding party in Patan), the community's demands (like refusing to pick carcasses), and the political responses from leaders like Jignesh Mevani. Judicial and Legal Affairs: He tracks significant, high-stakes legal cases and judgments that set precedents in Gujarat, including the convictions under the stringent Gujarat Animal Preservation Act (cow slaughter), 2002 Gujarat riots and developments in cases involving former police officers facing charges of wrongful confinement and fake encounters. Political and Administrative Oversight: Dabhi provides essential coverage of the inner workings of the state government and the opposition, ensuring a high degree of Trustworthiness in political analysis: State Assembly Proceedings: He frequently reports directly from the Gujarat Assembly, covering Question Hour, discussion on various Bills, debates on budgetary demands for departments like Social Justice, and ministerial statements on issues like illegal mining, job quotas for locals, and satellite-based farm loss surveys. Electoral Politics: His work details key political developments, including election analysis (voter turnout records), party organizational changes (like the end of C R Patil’s tenure as BJP chief), and campaign dynamics. ... Read More

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