Introduction
The devastating Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad has left the nation in shock and hundreds of families shattered. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025, killing 265 people onboard and on the ground. As investigators sift through wreckage and families await DNA confirmation, the stories emerging are filled with unbearable grief, love, and the desperate hope for closure.
The Scene of the Tragedy
The plane crashed into a residential area near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, striking the hostel building of BJ Medical College. Locals describe the impact as a “deafening roar” followed by fire and metal raining from the sky. Nearby residents like Mukesh, a driver, say the entire neighborhood was engulfed in flames within seconds. Sniffer dogs and rescue teams worked through the night, but the damage was overwhelming.
Imtiyaz Sayed’s Desperate Hope
Among the grieving is Imtiyaz Ali Sayed, whose brother Javed, sister-in-law, and two children were on the ill-fated flight. Refusing to grieve until confirmation, he continues to send messages to Javed’s phone, clinging to the last threads of hope. “You don’t understand. They were my life,” he says, eyes filled with pain but not yet resignation.
DNA Testing and the Long Wait
With many bodies charred beyond recognition, DNA testing is underway at Civil Hospital Ahmedabad. For Sameer Shaikh, whose son Irfan was an Air India crew member, the delay is agonizing. “They asked us to come back in three days,” he says, unable to hold back tears. His wife sits silently nearby, consumed by grief.
Ground Casualties and Missing Staff
The crash not only affected passengers. Sarla Thakur, a cook at the BJ Medical College hostel, went missing after deciding to stay back and serve students. Her daughter, Payal, and husband, Prahlad, have been searching for her among the wreckage. “We’ve been searching since morning, but found no trace,” Payal says.
Campus Chaos and Ongoing Trauma
Medical students on campus experienced the crash firsthand. Many are now in ICU, while others were treated for injuries. Abandoned backpacks, smoke, and silence now fill the college’s once-busy halls. “It felt like the world had stopped,” said one student. The emotional toll on survivors is expected to last for years.
Investigations and National Mourning
An investigation team from the DGCA and Boeing have arrived in Ahmedabad to assess the wreckage. The aircraft, less than 10 years old, had a clean maintenance record. Authorities believe a technical malfunction may be the cause, but the flight recorder and black box will provide answers in the coming days.
Conclusion
This is more than a news story—it’s a national tragedy. Behind every number is a name, a family, a future now lost. As India mourns, and families like the Sayeds, Shaikhs, and Thakurs search for answers, the hope remains that their pain will not go unheard. The Air India crash of June 2025 will remain etched in the country’s memory forever.
