Mourners and family members of those killed in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad a year ago have come together to pay tribute to the victims and mark the anniversary of the incident. The tragedy, which occurred on June 12, 2025, claimed the lives of 260 people and injured a further 67.
What happened to Air India Flight AI171?
Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) from Ahmedabad Airport (AMD) in India, had only just begun its journey when the catastrophe occurred. 32 seconds after takeoff, the aircraft crashed into a medical college hostel in the residential area of Meghani Nagar. Air traffic control had received a mayday alert from the plane just moments before all communication from the aircraft ceased.
Of the 242 passengers on board the flight, 241 lost their lives in the crash. 19 people on the ground close to the crash site were also killed, raising the total number of fatalities to 260. The flight’s sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national from Leicester, lost his brother in the incident and has since been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
What happened on the anniversary?
On the first anniversary of the crash, which fell on Friday, June 12, 2026, mourners gathered at the crash site to pray and light candles in honour of the victims. Some relatives of the victims had attended a commemoration at B.J. Medical College earlier in the day, where they were joined by politicians, government officials and foreign dignitaries.
Suresh Patni, whose teenage son was killed in the disaster, told AFP of the ongoing agony for his family, stating:
“Our house is still at the same location. But we don’t feel like staying here… we are reminded of the same faces and memories.”
Other family members set up cardboard cut outs and framed portraits of their deceased loved ones in an effort to honour their memories.
However, the question still remains as to exactly what caused the fatal crash. On the day of the vigil, India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released an update on the progress of the investigation into the incident.
According to the BBC, the AAIB stated that the investigation is ingoing but that significant progress has been made, adding:
“The Final Report will be released upon completion of all investigative activities and the requisite international review and consultation processes. Every aspect of the accident will be examined with the utmost care and diligence.”
Until the final report regarding the crash is released, families and survivors will be left without answers about the factors that caused the tragedy last year.
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