A dream reunion turned to tragedy as a Banswara family perished in Ahmedabad’s deadly plane crash.
Five lives, once full of hope and promise, were lost in mere heartbreaking minutes.
A devastating plane crash that occurred shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad has claimed the lives of five members of a single family from Banswara, Rajasthan. The victims have been identified as Pratik Joshi, a software engineer; his wife, Dr. Komi Vyas; their twin sons, Pradyut and Nakul; and their eldest daughter, Miraya.
The family was aboard the ill-fated Air India flight AI171, which was en route to the United Kingdom when it tragically crashed into the premises of a medical college in Ahmedabad’s Meghaninagar area on Thursday. The aircraft burst into flames on impact, leaving no survivors in what is now being called one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history.
According to reports, the Joshi family was embarking on what was meant to be a new beginning. Pratik Joshi had spent the last nine years working in the United Kingdom, tirelessly building a stable life and future for his family. This week was supposed to mark the long-awaited reunion with his loved ones, as he was finally bringing his wife and children to live with him abroad.
Tragically, their dreams were cut short within minutes of takeoff.
Dr. Komi Vyas, who had been practicing medicine in India, had tendered her resignation just two days prior to the flight. She had planned to start a new life with her family in the UK. According to relatives, she was excited about the journey and the opportunities ahead for her children. The family even sent a selfie to relatives from the airport just before boarding, a cheerful moment that would unknowingly become their last.
The news of the crash has sent shockwaves through the Banswara community. Residents are struggling to come to terms with the heartbreaking loss of a family described by many as warm, humble, and deeply connected to their roots.
“The whole town is in mourning,” a family friend told News18. “They were a kind, loving family always together, always smiling. This is too hard to believe.”
Friends and neighbors gathered at the family home, where grief hung heavily in the air. Many recalled how the children would play outside and how Dr. Komi, though busy with her work, always made time to check on others in the neighborhood. Pratik, even while living abroad, remained in close contact with relatives and often visited home.
Former colleagues of Komi expressed deep sorrow, describing her as a dedicated doctor and an empathetic soul who touched many lives through her work.
Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the cause of the crash, with aviation officials and emergency personnel working tirelessly to recover remains and secure the crash site. The medical college compound where the plane crashed also suffered extensive damage, though no casualties were reported on the ground.
As the nation mourns the loss of all 242 people on board, including 53 British nationals, the story of the Joshi family has resonated deeply with people across the country a painful reminder of lives lost in pursuit of hope, reunion, and a better future.
