Ahmedabad crash aftermath - Vadodara mourns victims as families receive support

The aftermath of the Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad has cast a deep shadow over Vadodara, where families mourn the loss of five victims cremated locally.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, killing 241 onboard and 38 on the ground, including five MBBS students. The total death toll stands at 279.

Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose body was handed over to his family for final rites. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel paid respects at Rupani's funeral, a deeply emotional event marked by his wife Anjali Rupani's farewell.

Vadodara district administration has deployed 21 liaison officers and 22 doctors to assist families and coordinate final rites. Victims such as Kalpana Prajapati, Narendra Panchal and his wife Usha, and Alcena Macwan were cremated in the city amid family and community support.

The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, is receiving medical treatment.

Investigations are ongoing, with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and the US National Transportation Safety Board probing the cause. The flight data recorder has been recovered, expected to shed light on why the plane lost height and crashed.

“The flight data recorder (black box) has been recovered, which is expected to be crucial in determining why the plane lost height and crashed shortly after takeoff.”

Captain Sumit Sabharwal, the veteran pilot with over 8,200 flight hours, also perished in the crash.

DNA matching has identified 99 victims so far, with authorities continuing efforts to support grieving families.

This tragedy has united communities in grief and support, highlighting the human cost behind the aviation disaster.

Vadodara mourns five victims of the Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad that killed 279, including former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani. Families receive support as 99 victims are identified. The sole survivor is treated, while investigations continue into the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash shortly after takeoff.