Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Jun 12: Twelve months after the catastrophic Ahmedabad air disaster that claimed 260 lives, the pain remains deeply etched in the hearts of survivors and bereaved families. As the city marked the first anniversary of one of India's deadliest aviation tragedies, relatives gathered to remember loved ones whose absence continues to leave an irreplaceable void.
For many, time has done little to ease the suffering.
Among them is Sureshbhai Metaria, who lost his son Akash in the crash. Recalling the day that changed his life forever, he spoke of the immense grief that still grips his family.
"My son used to bring lunch for his mother every day. That day, I had gone to receive him in an auto-rickshaw, unaware that our lives were about to change forever. No family should ever experience such pain. This tragedy has shattered us completely," he said.
Overcome with emotion, Metaria described how memories of his son continue to dominate daily life.
"We have lost the desire to do anything. Even being at home is difficult. Every corner of the house reminds us of him, and within moments everyone breaks down in tears. The plane crashed directly onto him, leaving him no chance to survive," he added.
Another grieving family member said the search for justice remains unfinished.
"My mother was travelling to visit my brother in London when the accident occurred. We are still hoping the truth will emerge and those responsible will be held accountable," the relative said.
Saud Memon, who lost four members of his family in the disaster, remembered the devastating moment he learned of the crash.
"My brother, his wife and their two children were on that flight. I was attending college when a friend called and shared some passenger names because he knew my brother was flying back to London. The shock of that moment is something I can never forget," Memon told reporters.
He recalled that his brother had returned to India to celebrate Eid with the family.
"We had spent wonderful days together. I even accompanied him to the airport before he boarded the flight. A year later, we still don't know exactly why this happened," he said, showing reporters the final photograph taken with his family shortly before departure.
Survivor Kalpana Ben also revisited the horrifying moments that unfolded after the crash.
"There was fire everywhere. A young girl pleaded with me to help her escape. I reached out to pull her to safety and burned my hand in the process. After helping her, I tried to get out myself. My clothes, phone and shoes were destroyed by the flames. I suffered severe burns and injuries and could only crawl on my knees because I was unable to stand," she recounted.
The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into the hostel premises of B.J. Medical College in Ahmedabad's Meghani Nagar locality, killing 241 of the 242 passengers and crew members on board, along with 19 people on the ground.
The disaster triggered a massive emergency response operation and plunged the nation into mourning. Rescue teams worked around the clock to recover victims, many of whom had to be identified through DNA analysis because of the intensity of the impact and fire.
The sole survivor was British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who miraculously escaped from seat 11A.
Among those killed was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose identity was later confirmed through DNA testing.
Investigators from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Although a preliminary report has been released, the final findings are still awaited. Investigators are examining several possibilities, including technical malfunctions, operational issues, potential pilot actions and theories related to the aircraft's fuel cutoff system.
The tragedy has also reshaped the crash site itself. Authorities have proposed redeveloping the damaged B.J. Medical College hostel complex into a larger modern facility as part of a long-term reconstruction plan.
Even after a year, families say closure remains elusive. Many continue to seek clarity, accountability and definitive answers about what caused the disaster.
Meanwhile, Air India has rejected allegations that victims' families are being pressured into signing legal waivers to receive compensation. The airline, now owned by the Tata Group, stated that there is "no deadline and no pressure" attached to accepting settlement offers.
The clarification followed allegations made by the daughter of Vijay Rupani, who claimed that some families were being urged to sign legal documents linked to compensation claims.
As investigations continue and questions remain unanswered, the anniversary serves as a painful reminder that for hundreds of families, the tragedy is not a chapter of the past but a wound that is still healing.