The crash of Air India Flight AI-171 on June 12, 2025, near Ahmedabad, has left the world reeling. While the focus understandably remains on the 274 lives tragically lost, stories of near misses and averted fates are emerging, highlighting the capricious nature of destiny. A combination of intuition, mundane obstacles, and heartfelt pleas seemingly conspired to keep a handful of individuals off the ill-fated flight, leaving them to grapple with survivor's guilt and a profound sense of gratitude.

One such story involves Jaimin, who was scheduled to fly with his family on AI-171. Their excitement turned to frustration at the check-in counter when officials questioned their paperwork. Despite their desperate pleas, they were denied boarding due to the administrative snag. Dejected, they returned home, only to be met with a frantic phone call urging them to turn on the news. The horrifying images of the crash filled the screen, leaving them in shock. Jaimin expressed immense gratitude towards the Air India staff who had "put their foot down," unknowingly saving their lives.

Savji Timbadia, who had a ticket for seat 1A, experienced a different kind of intervention. Ready to fly to London to visit his son, he was overcome by a sudden, inexplicable feeling of unease hours before takeoff. Heeding his gut feeling, Savji called his son and postponed his trip, promising to fly out on Monday instead. He had no rational explanation for his change of heart, just a "churn in the gut he couldn't shake." Later, as he watched the news of the crash, he understood the source of his anxiety. He attributed his survival to divine intervention, stating that "Lord Swaminarayan saved my life."

For Bhoomi Chauhan, a native of Bharuch, it was the chaotic traffic of Ahmedabad that became an unlikely savior. Returning to her husband in London after a vacation, Bhoomi encountered a series of diversions, traffic jams, and missed turns on her way to the airport. She arrived at the terminal ten minutes late, missing her flight. While initially frustrated, she soon realized that the traffic nightmare had inadvertently spared her from the devastating tragedy.

Ravji faced a poignant dilemma. His son-in-law, Arjun, who had recently lost his wife Bharti to cancer, pleaded with him to accompany him to London to visit his granddaughters. Ravji, however, declined, citing unfinished work and promising to join them later. Tragically, Arjun perished in the crash, leaving Ravji to mourn not only his son-in-law but also his daughter, both lost within a span of just 20 days.

These are just a few of the emerging stories of those who narrowly escaped the tragedy of AI-171. While the reasons for their missed flights vary, they all share a common thread: a twist of fate that intervened, sparing them from the disaster. As investigations into the crash continue, these accounts serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of destiny, highlighting how a mother's plea, a father's gut feeling, or a simple twist of fate can alter the course of existence in the most profound ways.