One Year After AI-171 Disaster, Survivors And Families Recall Day Of Tragedy
A year after the Air India AI-171 crash claimed 260 lives in Ahmedabad, families of the victims and survivors gathered on Friday to remember their loved ones, while many continued to seek answers and closure as investigations into the tragedy remain ongoing.
The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into the hostel complex of B.J. Medical College in the Meghaninagar area shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12 last year. According to official figures, 241 of the 242 people on board were killed, along with 19 people on the ground, taking the death toll to 260.
On the first anniversary of the tragedy, relatives of the victims recalled the emotional impact of the crash and the void left behind by their loved ones.
Sureshbhai Metaria, father of victim Akash Metaria, said the tragedy had permanently altered his family’s life. Recalling his son, he said the family continues to struggle with memories of the incident and the loss remains difficult to accept.
Another family member said they were still awaiting justice and clarity regarding the circumstances that led to the crash.
Saud Memon, who lost his brother, sister-in-law and their two children in the accident, recalled accompanying them to the airport before their flight to London. He said the family continues to seek answers regarding the cause of the disaster.
Survivor Kalpana Ben recounted the moments following the crash, describing how she helped rescue a young girl amid the fire and chaos before escaping herself with burn injuries.
The crash triggered one of the largest rescue and identification operations in recent years. Authorities had to rely on DNA testing to identify many victims due to severe burns and impact damage. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among those killed and was identified through DNA analysis.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is continuing its probe into the cause of the crash. While a preliminary investigation report has been released, the final report is still awaited. Investigators are examining technical and operational aspects, including questions related to possible pilot actions and system failures.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya announced plans to develop major health and educational facilities at the crash site.
Speaking on the anniversary of the tragedy, the Minister said the state government has decided to construct a “Health Temple” and an “Education Temple” on the land owned by the Health Department where the crash occurred.
According to the Minister, the Health Temple will include a spine hospital along with hostel facilities for students and doctors, while the Education Temple will support medical education infrastructure. Accommodation and other facilities for super-specialist medical students are also part of the proposed project.
Pansheriya said the redevelopment plan, finalised after consultations with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, will involve an investment of more than ₹500 crore.
The impact of the crash caused extensive damage to the Atulyam hostel blocks, canteen and sub-station buildings within the New Mental Campus near Civil Hospital in Asarwa. Around 92 students were residing in the hostel at the time. A structural audit later declared the buildings unsafe, leading to their evacuation and planned demolition.
The state government has proposed rebuilding the damaged infrastructure as part of a larger redevelopment initiative, including a modern super-speciality postgraduate hostel complex and expanded healthcare and medical education facilities.
