Devastation and Grief: Families Still Struggling Six Months After Fatal Air India Crash in Ahmedabad

241 people out of 242 passengers and crew perished in the devastating Air India crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025.

A dim light from a flickering candle illuminates the photograph of 12-year-old Akash Patni, whose thoughtful expression captures the essence of a young life tragically cut short in a catastrophic plane accident that has left his family in profound grief.

Akash is among the many victims who lost their lives on June 12 when Air India flight 171 crashed into buildings in a residential area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat state, western India.

In the six months following the tragedy, Akash's parents and four siblings have maintained a daily ritual of gathering to pray before his picture, which occupies a special place on a shelf in the corner of their modest, dimly lit living room.

"My son was at the tea stall when a part of the aircraft fell on him... smoke and fire engulfed everything, making it impossible for anyone to approach the area," recalled his father, Suresh Patni, a 48-year-old tea vendor.

"The boy was completely burned... We couldn't even transport him to the hospital."

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner had just departed for London when, due to reasons still under investigation, both engines lost fuel supply.

Without power, the aircraft crashed into buildings at the runway's end, resulting in a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 241 of the 242 passengers and crew members, along with 19 Ahmedabad residents.

Only one passenger survived the catastrophe.

"I witnessed everything unfold before my eyes," said Akash's mother, Sita Patni, 45.

From beneath her headscarf covering gray hair and shoulders, her exposed arm reveals extensive burn scars—evidence of her unsuccessful attempt to rescue her son from the flames.

"I experience pain throughout the day," she said quietly.

"I tried desperately to save him, but he didn't survive."

Kiritsinh Chavda, 49, suffered the loss of his brother and sister-in-law in the disaster.

He recounted the terrifying moment of receiving his father's call, informing him that an aircraft had crashed in his neighborhood.

"He told me my younger brother and his wife couldn't be reached," said Chavda, who works as a police officer.

Upon arriving at the scene, he encountered utter chaos.

"The bodies were severely damaged and burned beyond recognition," he explained.

"It took almost a week to identify my brother and his wife."

Family members of those lost have been seeking answers, trying to understand the cause of their loved ones' deaths.

They are also beginning the difficult process of addressing compensation matters.

Air India promptly provided $28,000 to each victim's family. The airline's owner, Tata Group, committed to an additional $112,000.

"We still haven't received the remaining amount," Chavda said quietly.

Air India has acknowledged the delay but requested patience from affected families.

"The final compensation process is currently underway," a spokesperson stated.

"We are fully aware of our responsibility and continue providing support and care to all families affected by this tragedy, which remains our absolute priority."

For Chavda, "they should deliver the promised compensation. That would be sufficient for me."

Badasab Saiyed, 60, expressed that "compensation is a secondary concern" for him.

A retired academic, he lost four family members in the accident—his brother, sister-in-law, nephew, and niece.

They had originally planned to fly from New Delhi to London, but when that flight was cancelled, they boarded the ill-fated Ahmedabad flight instead.

Saiyed quickly joined a complaint filed by a British law firm seeking answers about the crash.

"The main question is determining who bears responsibility," he stated.

"Was it inadequate maintenance, an issue with the Boeing aircraft itself, or perhaps a minor pilot error? This tragedy should never have occurred."

The crash site has now been cleared of all aircraft debris. Only the charred remains of the building that supported the plane's tail and a few rusted shells of burned vehicles remain.

Overwhelmed by grief, Suresh Patni shows little interest in finding answers.

"I'm not concerned about the investigation," he admitted. "I don't comprehend any of it."

Nor does he care about financial compensation.

"What purpose does money serve?" he questioned. "We lost our son."

The family had placed great hopes in Akash's future.

"He was our youngest and most beloved child," his father shared. "We wanted him to pursue education and achieve something meaningful."

"He was the most intelligent in our family," added his mother, who hasn't found the strength to return to or reopen her tea stall.

"It's unbearable; I constantly think about him," she confessed.

"I can no longer tolerate the sound of aircraft. I keep my gaze downward, unable to look up at the sky."