New Delhi: Less than a week after the death and last rites of his wife, London-based father of two, Arjun Patolia boarded Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad that was bound for London. He was hoping to reunite with is young daughters. The Boeing 787-8Dreamliner tragically crashed just moments after takeoff. it claimed lives of the 241 passengers and crew onboard.
Patolia, 38, had travelled to Gujarat’s Amreli district to fulfill his late wife Bharatiben’s final wish, immersing her ashes in her native village surrounded by family. With her floral urn in hand completed the ritual days before returning to London on June 12, carrying heavy grief and hope alike. The flight was carrying 242 passengers, including 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese and one Canadian, crashed into Meghaninagar neighbourhood near Ahmedabad airport at approximately 1:40 pm local time.
CCTV footage has shown the aircraft was losing its altitude rapidly with its landing gear deployed, before it crashed into the BJ Medical College
Probe underway
A probe has been initiated into one of India’s horrific aviation tragedies. Prime Minister Modi has visited the site today and met the lone survivor of the accident. He has met with the rescue teams and offered condolences via social media posts.
Ram Mohan Naidu, Civil Aviation Minister has announced an investigation with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the crash and also in accordance to the international protocols established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The first fatal crash of Boeing 787
The disaster is the first fatal crash of Boeing 787 and India’s worst air tragedy in decades.
Till now, only one person, a British national of Indian descent, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh (40) is reported to be the only survivor in the deadly air mishap. He has been admitted to the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and is currently undergoing treatment. PM Modi has met the lone survivor earlier today.
