Tragedy in the Skies: Entire family lost in Air India plane crash during long-awaited reunion
Babushahi Bureau
Ahmedabad (Gujarat), June 13, 2025: A devastating tragedy unfolded in the skies as Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff, claiming the lives of at least 290 passengers, with only one survivor. Among the victims was an Indian family whose story of reunion has now become a heartbreaking tale of loss.
Pratik Joshi, a 38-year-old software professional based in London, had worked abroad for six years, building a future for his family. His wife, Dr. Komi Vyas, had recently resigned from her medical position in India, and along with their three young children, was finally joining him for a long-awaited new beginning in the UK.
On the morning of the flight, the family boarded Air India Flight 171 with smiles and hope. A selfie captured on board marked their final moments together—a snapshot of a future never lived.
Tragically, just moments after takeoff, the aircraft lost control and crashed. Emergency services confirmed that only one passenger survived the crash. Pratik, Komi, and their children were among those who perished.
“An Entire Lifetime Vanished in Seconds”
The emotional gravity of the incident was shared widely after technologist and motivator Sarbjit Singh Hanjra posted a moving tribute on LinkedIn:
“This is the cruelty of life. It makes no distinctions. It does not ask for your passport, your religion, your caste, your color, or your bank balance. We are all fragile. We are all human.”
A Nation Mourns
As families await confirmation and grieve their immeasurable losses, tributes have poured in from across the globe. The story of Pratik and his family has struck a deep chord, reminding many of the unpredictability and fragility of life.