'Family Friend, Not Cousin': Vikrant Massey Clarifies Relationship With Crashed Air India Plane's Co-Pilot
Vikrant Massey has clarified that Clive Kunder, who died in the Air India crash, was not his cousin but a family friend. He urged people to allow the grieving family their privacy
Actor Vikrant Massey has come forward to clarify a misunderstanding surrounding the tragic Air India plane crash on Thursday, which claimed the lives of 241 people. The actor addressed the confusion around the identity of one of the deceased, Clive Kunder, after his earlier Instagram post led many to believe Clive was his cousin.
“Clive Kunder Was Not My Cousin” – Vikrant’s Statement
Vikrant initially shared an emotional note stating that his uncle Clifford Kunder’s son, Clive Kunder, was among the victims of the crash. However, later that night, Vikrant took to Instagram again to issue a clarification.
“Dear friends in the media and elsewhere, the unfortunately diseased Mr. Clive Kunder was not my cousin. The Kunders are our family friends. Request no more speculations and let the family and loved ones grieve in peace,” the actor wrote on his Instagram Stories.
Earlier on Thursday, Vikrant had posted a message reacting to the tragic incident, stating, “My heart breaks for the families & loved ones of the ones who lost their lives in the unimaginably tragic air crash in Ahmedabad today. It pains even more to know that my uncle, Clifford Kunder, lost his son, Clive Kunder, who was the 1st officer operating on that fateful flight.”
The emotional note led to widespread reporting suggesting a blood relation, prompting the actor to clear the air later that evening.
241 Killed, One Survivor: Investigation Underway
The London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people including 12 crew, crashed minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. Only one passenger is believed to have survived the devastating crash.
According to reports, the accident happened moments after the pilot in command, Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal, issued a Mayday call.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed via X (formerly Twitter): “Following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, a formal investigation has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).”
As investigations unfold, families of the victims, including that of Clive Kunder, continue to grieve. Vikrant Massey's plea underscores the importance of sensitivity and respect for those dealing with such profound loss.
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