THE Province of British Columbia has proclaimed June 23, 2019 as “Air India Flight 182 Remembrance Day.”
The bombing of Air India Flight 182 on June 23, 1985, off the coast of Ireland killed 329 people. Also, the Narita airport explosion in the luggage meant for another Air India plane in Japan on the same day killed two baggage handlers.
The proclamation signed by Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin notes that “on June 23, 1985, Air India Flight 182, carrying luggage loaded in Vancouver, exploded and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Ireland … all 329 people on board were killed … most victims were Canadian citizens of Indian origin who were travelling to India to spend time with their loved ones … the dead included 86 children who would have contributed to Canadian society.”
It also notes that “the bombing remains the worst mass murder in Canadian history, and … memorials in Vancouver, Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal will forever stand as a reminder of the innocent lives lost.”
The proclamation says that “all residents of the province are urged to reflect on the root causes of the incident, inform themselves about this tragedy, and stand in support of the victims’ families.”
The Radical Desi organization said the proclamation was the result of its efforts.