Missed by Minutes: Bharuch Woman Escapes Doomed Air India Flight

What began as an ordinary day bogged down by Ahmedabad’s infamous traffic turned into a miracle of fate for Bhoomi Chauhan, a resident of Bharuch. Scheduled to fly to London aboard Air India Flight AI171 on June 12, 2025, Bhoomi arrived at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport just ten minutes after the boarding gates had closed. Disheartened at first, she was soon overwhelmed with disbelief when news broke that the plane had crashed minutes after takeoff, killing 241 of the 242 people on board.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner took off at 1:38 PM, bound for London Gatwick, but lost altitude shortly after departure. It plunged into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College in the Meghaninagar area, erupting into a massive fireball. Thick plumes of black smoke filled the sky as chaos unfolded on the ground, where additional casualties were reported. Eyewitnesses described the aircraft flying unusually low. While emergency teams rushed to the scene, the intensity of the blaze severely hampered rescue operations.

Still reeling from the experience, Bhoomi attributed her narrow escape to divine grace: “My Ganpati ji saved me,” she said. Her mother echoed the sentiment, expressing gratitude that Bhoomi had left her young child at home that day.

The only survivor from the flight was identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British-Indian national who is currently undergoing treatment for injuries. A high-level investigation has been launched, with initial theories pointing to possible engine failure or a bird strike. The flight’s black boxes are being analyzed, and authorities confirmed that the pilot had issued a Mayday distress call before the crash, indicating a critical emergency.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders have expressed deep condolences to the victims’ families. As rescue and recovery operations continue, the nation mourns what is now the worst aviation tragedy in India in more than a decade.