40 years on, India, Canada, and Ireland mark Air India flight 182 tragedy

At a solemn ceremony held at Canada House in New Delhi, diplomats, Indian officials, and families of the victims gathered on Sunday to mark the 40th anniversary of the bombing of Air India Flight 182 — one of the deadliest acts of aviation terrorism in history. Chargé d’affaires of Canada, Jennifer Daubeny, and Ireland’s Ambassador to India, Kevin Kelly, led the commemorative event, joined by senior Indian government officials and members of the diplomatic corps. Thirty family members of the victims were also present at the service. The event, which coincided with Canada’s National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, paid tribute to the 329 people who lost their lives when the Montreal-London-Delhi flight was brought down by a bomb over the Atlantic Ocean on June 23, 1985. The crash occurred in Irish airspace, at an altitude of 9,400 metres. Among the dead were 268 Canadian nationals. “This anniversary is a reminder that we need to work together to defeat the forces of terrorism and support the peace and safety of our citizens,” said Daubeny in her remarks. She emphasised the continuing need for global solidarity in confronting terrorism and honouring those affected by it.

Ambassador Kelly recalled Ireland’s role in the aftermath of the tragedy. “It is with some solace we recall the manner in which the people of Ahakista in County Cork came out to support the families of those who died,” he said. “Today, here in India, in Ireland and Canada, we stand in solidarity with their families.” Following the speeches, guests signed a remembrance book and participated in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony in honour of the victims. A minute’s silence was also observed to remember those who died in the recent Ahmedabad air crash, linking past and present tragedies. The commemoration served not only as a moment of mourning but as a reaffirmation of shared values between India, Canada, and Ireland in the global fight against terrorism.

The Tragedy and Its Legacy

Air India Flight 182 was en route from Montreal to Delhi via London when it was bombed mid-air off the coast of Ireland. The attack, linked to Canadian-based Sikh extremists, remains the deadliest aviation terror incident involving Canada and the worst in Indian aviation history. In a separate but coordinated attack the same day, a second bomb exploded at Tokyo’s Narita Airport, killing two baggage handlers. The aftermath saw the Irish Naval Service lead a recovery mission in the Atlantic. Many grieving families found refuge in Ahakista, a small village in County Cork, which welcomed them in their time of need. A permanent memorial was established there in 1986, and annual services continue to be held at the site every June 23. Today’s commemoration in New Delhi echoed the sentiments from those gatherings in Ireland — of remembrance, unity, and a resolve to prevent such tragedies from recurring. High-resolution photographs of the event are available via official diplomatic channels.