As thick black smoke billowed in the wake of the devastating Air India crash of Thursday afternoon, killing at least 265 people on board and on the ground, a global outpouring of grief and condolences has flooded the internet — with Pakistani celebrities also taking to social media to express their sadness.
The London-bound aircraft plummeted from the skies in a residential area 90 seconds after takeoff in Ahmedabad, becoming engulfed in flames as it ploughed a hostel for medical staff from a nearby hospital. One passenger was able to escape from the aircraft door, but the remaining 241 passengers and crew have been confirmed dead, as per the BBC. A distressing video of the aircraft’s doomed final final flight has gone viral, jolting netizens into penning prayers from the heart for all those affected by the aviation disaster.
Condolences and sorrow
Taking to Instagram Stories, A-lister Saba Qamar posted the now infamous video and wrote, “Heartfelt prayers for all the lives lost in the Air India tragedy, may their families find strength in this time of sorrow.”
In a similar vein but across a black backdrop as a homage to the lives lost, Love Guru star Mahira Khan kept her message succinct, stripped of excess emotion as her words honed in on the sadness engulfing all those whose lives have been forever changed. “Saddened by the crash of Air India. Tragic condolences to all who are grieving such a big loss.”
Composing a similarly sober message on IG Stories, also amid a plain black background, Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum star Fahad Mustafa wrote, “Deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. May the departed souls rest in peace.”
Fahad’s Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum co-star and fellow A-lister Hania Aamir had a similar message of sorrow to share on Stories. Like Fahad and Mahira, Hania, too, opted for a black backdrop as a mark of grief and posted on Thursday, “Deeply saddened by the tragic Air India crash near Ahmedabad today. My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected. May the victims rest in peace and their families find strength.”
Actor Maya Khan, too, shared her shock online as she posted a picture of the destroyed aircraft and simply wrote, “Prayers for the departed souls.”
With understandably little variation in the tributes online that inevitably fill the vacuum left by lives lost in any such catastrophe, Zard Patton Ka Bunn star Sajal Ali also turned to Stories to show her solidarity with all those who left grieving amidst the tragedy.
“Extremely heartbreaking news of the air crash today,” posted the actor on Instagram on Thursday. Adding a broken heart emoji to sign off her message, Sajal finished, “Praying for the souls lost and strength for their families. May they find peace.”
A journey unfinished
Meanwhile, Kattar Karachi actor Kinza Shah posted a short message underscoring the horror of a flight that would never reach its destination.
“Air India tragedy. Some journeys never reach their destination ” With the broken heart emoji proving to be the most apt after the horror of Thursday, Kinza continued, “Prayers for the family and the lone survivor.”
Posting a similar screenshot of the news, Tan Man o Neel actor Nadia Afgan, like so many others, offered prayers for all those who perished and wished strength for those they left behind. “So very tragic,” penned Nadia. “Praying for the departed souls.
Also praying for the families mourning the victims of the crash, Jafaa star Mawra Hocane wrote of her devastation on Stories. “Devastating news about the Air India plane crash. Countless lives lost,” expressed the actor. “Can’t imagine the state of their loved ones heartbreaking! Deepest condolences to the affected families. Praying for sabr [patience].”
Sadness without borders
Actor Armeena Khan, meanwhile, hinted in her post that geopolitical tensions lose their meaning in the face of a disaster claiming so many lives. Posting a screenshot of a news story relating to the crash, Armeena wrote, “As a human being, I’m so sorry this has happened. I never rejoice in death.”
Finally, model-turned-actor Saheefa Jabbar Khattak spun a harrowing, poetic note as a tribute to all those who had died and the loved ones grieving their loss.
“Devastated by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. So many lives lost, dreams shattered mid-air, families forever changed.” Painting a haunting picture of the horror the passengers must have felt in their final moments, and the chasm left behind for their loved ones, Saheefa added, “No words feel enough in the face of such pain. Praying for every soul abroad and every loved one left behind. May they rest in peace, and may we never take a single goodbye for granted.”
Saheefa also had an answer ready for those who questioned her allegiance after in the wake of her empathetic post. “I have nothing against the people of India,” maintained Saheefa in a separate post as a reply to someone who questioned why she would support a country banning Pakistani artists.
“I deeply mourn the innocent lives lost,” continued the actor. “I can be against false propaganda, twisted narratives, and baseless accusations, but it takes someone truly cruel to not grieve the loss of innocent human lives.”
Saheefa’s words, as well as the posts shared by the Pakistani showbiz community, prove that regardless of the military tensions between the neighbouring countries in May, few things unite people more than a single instant that wipes out so many lives.
