Across India and the United Kingdom, grieving families are holding funerals for loved ones lost in the recent Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London Gatwick, tragically crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025, claiming the lives of 241 passengers and crew members on board, as well as at least 30 people on the ground.
The heart-wrenching scenes of loss and mourning are unfolding as the first bodies, identified through painstaking DNA testing, are being returned to their families. In Ahmedabad, white coffins are being delivered, carrying the remains of those who perished in the fiery crash. Tushar Leuva, an NGO worker assisting with recovery efforts, expressed the immense emotional toll, saying, "My heart is very heavy, how do we give the bodies to the families?" Many families have been instructed not to open the coffins due to the extent of the damage.
One particularly poignant funeral was held in Diu for Ajay Kumar Ramesh, whose brother, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, was the sole survivor of the crash. Despite his own injuries, Vishwash, a 40-year-old British businessman, was discharged from the hospital to attend and help carry his brother's coffin. Visibly distraught, he was supported by other mourners as he bore the weight of his loss.
In Mumbai, over 500 people gathered to mourn the Syed family: Javed Ali Syed, his wife Mariam, and their two young children, Amani and Zayn. The family was traveling back to their home in London after a visit to India. Farheen Mirza, a neighbor, spoke of Javed's hard work and dedication to building a better future for his family in the UK. Zuben Syed, Javed's uncle, recounted the harrowing experience of identifying the family's remains, a process that took over 100 hours and required extensive DNA matching.
The tragedy has also left young children orphaned. Arjun Patoliya, a father of two young girls, was among the passengers. He was returning home after scattering his wife's ashes in India, following her death just weeks prior. Anjana Patel, the mayor of London's Harrow borough, expressed hope that the girls would be well cared for by the community.
Air India has issued a statement expressing their mourning for the loss of life and stating that they are in contact with the families of the victims, including the 53 British nationals who were on board. The airline has also announced a 15% reduction in international services on widebody aircraft until mid-July to ensure operational stability and minimize inconvenience to passengers.
Meanwhile, investigations into the cause of the crash are underway. Experts from India, the UK, and the US are examining data from the recovered "black boxes," although reports indicate they sustained heavy damage. While the cause remains undetermined, Air India's chairman has stated that the crashed Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner had no known engine issues.
