A family of five, bound for a new life in London, tragically lost their lives in the Air India flight AI-171 crash on Thursday, which claimed a total of 241 victims. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft, shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, crashed into a medical college complex, igniting a catastrophic fire. This incident marks one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s history.
Hours before the disaster, Dr. Pratik Joshi (42), his wife Dr. Komi Vyas (38), and their three children—Miraya (8) and twins Nakul and Pradyut (5)—captured a joyful moment in a selfie on the plane. The image, widely shared on social media, showed the family smiling, filled with anticipation for their new beginning. A close friend shared with News18, “They were incredibly excited about moving to London. Pratik had worked tirelessly to make this happen for years. This is simply devastating.”
Dr. Joshi had been living in the UK for six years, working as a radiologist at Royal Derby Hospital while preparing for his family’s permanent relocation. Dr. Vyas had recently resigned from her position at Pacific Hospital in Udaipur to join him. Their destination was London Gatwick, where they hoped to build a brighter future together. A family friend expressed the community’s shock, stating, “They were an aspirational couple who wanted the best for their children. Their dreams are now lost.”
The crash has garnered international attention, prompting the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to assist Indian authorities in the investigation. Air India, now under the Tata Group, has announced compensation of ₹1 crore (approximately R224,000) for each victim’s family and set up emergency helplines to support those affected. The Derby Hindu Temple, where the Joshis were active members, released a heartfelt statement saying, “We pray for the eternal peace of the departed souls and strength for their loved ones. They were dedicated to our community.”
In a miraculous turn, a British passenger survived the crash and is currently in critical condition at a nearby hospital. Authorities have not yet released details regarding the individual’s identity. As condolences pour in from both India and the UK, the loss of the Joshi family serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictability of life and the fragility of dreams that can vanish in an instant.