Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, June 12: Bhoomi Chauhan, a London resident visiting India, narrowly escaped tragedy after missing Air India flight AI-171 — the aircraft that crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12 — by just 10 minutes.
Speaking to media persons, Chauhan said she was stuck in traffic and reached the airport just moments after boarding had closed. “I am completely devastated after hearing about the loss of lives. My body is literally shivering. My mind is totally blank now after hearing all that has happened,” she said, still in visible shock.
Chauhan had arrived at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport around 1.30 pm, only to learn that the flight to London Gatwick had already departed. The aircraft took off at 1.38 pm and crashed minutes later in a residential area near the airport, killing over 200 people.
“I just missed the flight by ten minutes. I don’t know how to explain what I feel. I was supposed to be on that plane,” she said, adding emotionally, “My Ganpati Bappa saved me.”
Chauhan had returned to India for a vacation after two years and was flying back alone. The Air India Dreamliner had arrived from Delhi earlier that day and was en route to London with 242 people onboard, including 12 crew members.
According to Flightradar24, the aircraft reached only 625 feet before it began a rapid descent and exploded after crashing into the hostel building of B J Medical College and Hospital.
Thursday’s incident marks one of the worst disasters involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The investigation is ongoing.