Air India crash: Grieving families continue seeking justice and closure a year after tragedy

A year after the crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad, grieving families continue to search for justice and closure. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025, hitting a medical college hostel and local businesses. A total of 259 people died, including 241 passengers and 18 individuals on the ground. The incident has left deep emotional and physical scars on families and the surrounding Meghani Nagar neighborhood. Residents who once joyfully chased planes now find the sound of aircraft a painful reminder of the tragedy.

Sita Patni, a mother who suffered severe burns, lost her 14-year-old son Aakash when a burning wing fell on her tea stall where he was sleeping. She was initially told he was recovering in a hospital, but learned 20 days later that he had died on the day of the crash. Nearly 150 kilometers away, Salim Patel mourns his 25-year-old son Sahil, who had just won a UK work visa lottery. Patel calls for the death penalty for those responsible. A preliminary report blamed the pilot, but Patel believes the aircraft was faulty and claims Air India officials imposed difficult conditions for compensation.

Financial struggles compound the grief for many families. Patel’s family is among at least 120 families consulting a United States-based legal firm after receiving little compensation in India. In London, Muhammad Shethwala faces deportation after losing his wife Sadika and daughter Fatima on the flight. His UK residency was dependent on his wife’s visa. Although he is contesting the order, he has spent significant funds on legal fees without receiving support from Air India. Shethwala requests either a short-term visa or a clean immigration record to avoid a future travel ban in Europe.