Praying was held in Hindu temples in northwest London after the Air India crash in Ahmedabad.
London Gatwick flight crashed shortly after taking off from the city airport in western Gujarat, killing 241 people. One man – a British man – survived.
Sjro Rajrajeshwar, spiritual leader of the Temple of Harrow Palmerston Road, said some victims had attended his temple prayers.
“Today, we pray for them because this is the only thing we can give to the late soul,” he said.
Tarun Patel, spokesman for Neasden Temple, said the tragedy would have a special impact on the Gujarat community in London, many of whom were concentrated in Harrow, Brent and Hornslow.
“It was incredible when we heard it this morning,” he said.
“It took some time to really understand what is going on, and when it sinks, it’s very sad, devastating. The innocent life is affected.”
Tarun Patel says the disaster will hit the Gujarat community in London [BBC]
While those who attended his temple did include a large proportion of Gujarati, he said he did not know that there were anyone in the congregation who was flying, but “the situation was very smooth.”
“It’s not that the members are not affected. I think it’s not just the people in this congregation…the whole person loses family and friends, so we feel their sorrow.”
He said his temples, as well as others across London and England, will continue to have the opportunity to come together to pray for the “lost life of innocent people.”
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