Families of the victims of the devastating Air India crash that claimed 260 lives gathered in Ahmedabad on Friday to mark the first anniversary of one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent history, while continuing to demand answers about what caused the tragedy.
The Boeing 787 aircraft crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, slamming into a medical college and erupting into flames. The disaster killed 241 people on board and 19 people on the ground, making it the world’s deadliest air crash in more than a decade.
Relatives, survivors, and community members returned to the crash site to honor those who lost their lives. Many carried photographs, flowers, and candles as they paid tribute to loved ones whose deaths continue to leave emotional scars.
Among them was Suresh Patni, whose teenage son Akash was killed while working at the family’s tea stall when the aircraft crashed nearby.
“We are here today only to remember him on his first death anniversary,” Patni said as he stood beside a flower-covered memorial dedicated to his son.
For many families, grief has been compounded by frustration over the ongoing investigation. Victims’ relatives had expected a final report by the anniversary date, but authorities are instead preparing to release an interim report as inquiries continue.
A preliminary report released shortly after the crash revealed that fuel supplies to the aircraft’s engines were cut moments before impact. The findings raised questions among aviation experts and investigators but stopped short of determining whether the event resulted from human error, a technical malfunction, or another factor.
The report also disclosed a brief conversation between the captain and co-pilot regarding the fuel supply interruption, fueling widespread speculation and debate about what happened in the cockpit during the aircraft’s final moments.
However, investigators have not yet identified the precise cause of the fuel cutoff, leaving many critical questions unanswered.
Nilesh Joshi, whose wife died in the crash while returning to Britain after attending a wedding in India, said families deserve a full explanation.
“The release of the report is important for closure,” he said. “People like me who have lost their loved ones need answers.”
The victims included 200 Indian nationals, 52 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian citizen, making the tragedy an international disaster that affected families across several countries.
The sole survivor of the crash, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, has previously spoken about the psychological trauma he continues to endure and the unanswered questions that remain about the disaster that claimed his brother’s life.
As memorial events and candlelight vigils took place across Ahmedabad, families reiterated their hope that investigators will provide a clear and comprehensive explanation of the crash, helping bring closure to those still struggling with the loss of loved ones a year later.
