Ahmedabad plane crash: 15-year-old Akash Patani was among the victims of the Air India crash in Ahmedabad, killed while resting near his mother’s tea stall. His grieving family, like many others, now waits for DNA results to claim the bodies. Local leaders and volunteers are assisting with relief and support efforts.
Medics carry mortal remains of a victim. Pic/PTI
On Thursday, June 12, the world witnessed one of the worst air disasters in history. A tragic crash involving a London-bound Air India flight claimed the lives of many passengers on board and killed several local residents near the crash site. The aircraft, which had departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, crashed shortly after takeoff, just outside the airport perimeter.
The crash resulted in the deaths of not only those on board but also bystanders in the vicinity. Among the victims was 15-year-old Akashbhai Surajbhai Patani. Akashbhai was sleeping on a wooden cot (khatiya) near his mother’s tea stall when the tragedy struck.
According to The Hindu, he died instantly when the plane crashed where he lay resting. His mother, Sitabhen Patani, who was serving tea at her pushcart nearby, suffered severe burns and is currently undergoing treatment at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Tragically, just a few metres away from her hospital ward, her son’s body lies in the post-mortem room — a fact she remains unaware of as she continues to fight for her life.
Akash’s father, Surajbhai, an auto-rickshaw driver, was on duty when the crash occurred. He learned about the incident half an hour later and rushed to the scene, only to discover that his son had died. Overcome with grief, he said while sitting in his auto outside the hospital, “No government or money can replace him… he was a bright child.”
Akash was a Class 9 student at a local private school. On the day of the tragedy, he had gone to deliver lunch to his mother. His brother-in-law, Vishal, who is also an auto-rickshaw driver, told The Hindu, “As she was eating, he lay down on the cot and fell asleep… when the plane crashed, he was burnt alive in the flames.”
At the hospital, hundreds of grieving relatives gathered, anxiously waiting for confirmation about when they could claim the bodies of their loved ones. Officials informed them that DNA matching could take at least 72 hours for some victims, leaving families with no choice but to wait. Meanwhile, the bodies of victims who could be identified without DNA testing have begun to be released.
Among the deceased was Aryan Rajput, a first-year MBBS student from Gwalior. Aryan was in the mess at his medical college hostel when the plane crashed into the building.
Community support and relief efforts
Local leaders and volunteers have stepped in to support the grieving families. Amit Shah, MLA for Ellis Bridge, and Dr Hasmukh Patel, MLA for Amraiwadi, have set up help desks outside BJ Medical College to assist families with the DNA sampling process. They said, “To coordinate with hospital staff, we are working in six-hour shifts.”
Additionally, numerous RSS Swayamsevaks (volunteers) are contributing to the relief operations by managing traffic, helping collect DNA samples, and distributing food and water to distressed families waiting at the hospital.
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