Ahmedabad, June 12: On the first anniversary of the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash, families of the victims gathered at the site to pay tribute to their loved ones. The incident has resurfaced painful memories for local residents and the families of survivors.
Among those present was Kajal, whose younger brother, Akash, lost his life in the crash. She recounted, “When the accident happened, my brother was sleeping there. I lived nearby and learned that a plane had crashed. Upon arriving at the scene, I realized it occurred right in front of my mother’s hotel. I immediately called my sister and grandmother to check on my mother and brother. Initially, no one informed me that my brother Akash was also affected.”
Kajal continued, “When the plane crashed, my brother was asleep. My mother tried to save him, but she couldn’t reach him in time. My brother lost his life in this tragedy, and my mother was also burned.”
Gurdeep Singh, a family member of one of the victims, expressed frustration over the slow progress of investigations related to the tragedy. He stated, “A year has passed since the accident, but there has been no significant action taken.”
Soud Memon, a resident of Mumbai, lost four family members in the crash. He shared that his older brother, Syed Javed Ali, sister-in-law Syed Mariyam Ali, and their children, Syed Jayan Ali and Syed Amani Ali, were on board. He received the news while studying at college when acquaintances called to inform him about the plane crash.
Syed Amani Ali revealed that her brother’s family had come to India to celebrate Eid and was returning to London after their vacation. She had personally bid them farewell at the airport and taken a final family photo. Memon reflected, “The memories of that day still haunt me.”
Memon criticized the lack of clarity regarding the cause of the crash, stating that a year later, the family still has no definitive answers. He urged the government and investigative agencies to reveal the truth promptly so that the victim’s families can find closure. “To me, my brother was not just a sibling; he was a friend and a support. The pain of losing four close relatives remains as deep as ever,” he added. Memon called for a thorough investigation into the causes of the accident and accountability for any negligence.
It is noteworthy that Air India Flight AI-171 crashed shortly after taking off for London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, colliding with a medical hostel complex in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar area. The tragedy claimed the lives of nearly 260 people, including passengers, crew members, and individuals on the ground.
While an initial investigation report has been released, the final report is still awaited. Investigators are examining potential pilot actions, technical failures, and questions surrounding the fuel cut-off switch theory. Families of the victims continue to seek answers, accountability, and resolution of the case.
Meanwhile, Air India has denied allegations that it pressured victims’ families to sign legal waivers in exchange for compensation. The Tata Group airline stated that there is “absolutely no deadline or pressure” on anyone to accept its final settlement offer.
This clarification follows accusations from the daughter of a former Chief Minister of Gujarat, whose family was among the 260 victims. She alleged that the airline was pressuring families to sign legal documents related to compensation claims.
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