Mehsana (Gujarat) [India], June 13: Among the 241 lives lost in the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad was a young girl en route to London for higher studies. Her family, struggling financially, had taken out loans to support her dream of studying abroad.
“After finishing college, she lived with us. She was determined to study in London, so we arranged funds through loans. Now, all we have is grief,” said Suresh Khatik, a relative, speaking to the media. He confirmed that his DNA sample had been collected for identification purposes.
Another young victim, Sanket Goswami from Mehsana, was also aboard flight AI-171. Sanket, full of ambition, was headed to London to pursue his academic aspirations. “My nephew lost his only son. Sanket was very enthusiastic and had a bright future ahead. He leaves behind a younger sister,” shared a grieving relative.
The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI-171, was bound for London’s Gatwick Airport. It tragically crashed into a medical college complex in Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad, shortly after takeoff on Thursday. Of the 242 people on board, only one survived.
The flight was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned Line Training Captain with 8,200 flying hours, and co-piloted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours.
A formal investigation into the crash has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Additionally, the US-based National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is dispatching a team to assist with the probe.
Air India, now owned by the Tata Group, has established a passenger information hotline: 1800 5691 444 (India) and +91 8062779200 (international). The company has also announced a compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of each deceased passenger.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital on Friday, where he met Vishwashkumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the crash, as well as others injured in the aftermath. He also inspected the crash site and reviewed the situation with officials at the Ahmedabad airport.