Ahmedabad Plane Crash Victims Remembered on First Anniversary

Ahmedabad | Gujarat — Grief and remembrance marked the first anniversary of the devastating AI171 plane crash as families of victims gathered at the crash site in Ahmedabad’s Meghaninagar area on Thursday to pay tribute to their loved ones who lost their lives in the tragedy.

The Ahmedabad-to-London flight crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025, killing more than 260 passengers and others on the ground in one of the worst aviation disasters in Gujarat’s history. One year later, the pain remains fresh for families who returned to the site to honour the memories of those they lost.

Among them was Sitaben Patni, a resident of Shahibaug’s Ghoda Camp Road area, whose 15-year-old son Akash Patni died from severe burn injuries sustained in the crash. Standing at the site where the tragedy unfolded, family members offered prayers and remembered the young boy whose life was cut short.

“It has been a year, but the loss feels as painful as the first day. We came here to remember him and pray for his soul,” a family member said.

The ceremony also saw an emotional tribute from Radhika Rupani, daughter of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who planted a tree at the memorial site in memory of her father and all others who perished in the crash.

Families from overseas also travelled to Ahmedabad to pay their respects. The parents of Fyongle, a London resident who died in the accident, visited the crash site and participated in the remembrance programme.

British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron was also scheduled to visit the site and meet families of victims. Tight security arrangements were put in place by local police authorities throughout the day.

As part of the memorial observance, renowned devotional artists including Hemant Chauhan, Himanshu Chauhan, Mayur Dave and Ranjit Vank were scheduled to perform Hanuman Chalisa and Sundarkand recitals in the evening.

The gathering served as a poignant reminder of a tragedy that forever changed hundreds of lives and continues to unite families in grief, remembrance and hope.