A tragic plane crash in India has left a father and his two young children suddenly orphaned. The father, Arjun Patoliya, was returning home after scattering his wife Bharti’s ashes. She had recently passed away after a brave fight against cancer. Flight 171, carrying 242 people, crashed just moments after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, hitting a medical college hostel.
The crash, which occurred less than a minute into the flight, resulted in the deaths of 270 people, including 29 individuals on the ground. A hospital official confirmed that all 270 bodies have been recovered, but DNA testing is ongoing to identify them. Only one passenger, a British man from Leicester, survived this devastating incident, which has been labeled the worst aviation disaster in a decade.
Among those lost was 37-year-old Arjun Patoliya, who had traveled to India to fulfill his late wife’s wish to be laid to rest in her hometown of Gujarat. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support their two daughters, who are now without parents. The page emphasizes the sudden and heartbreaking change in the children’s lives, stating, "Now, these two beautiful young girls have been left without parents – their world turned upside down in just over two weeks." The fundraiser has raised over £250,000, which will be placed in a legal trust to ensure the children’s needs are met.
In response to the tragedy, Air India initially offered £85,000 to each family of the deceased but later announced an additional interim payment of £21,000 to help address immediate financial needs. This brings the total compensation to £106,000. The airline expressed its solidarity with the families affected and is providing support during this difficult time.
The investigation into the crash is expected to take three months. India’s aviation minister stated that a government panel will thoroughly review the incident. Early reports indicate that the plane began descending after reaching an altitude of 650 feet. Investigators are focusing on the engine, flaps, and landing gear, while the possibility of a bird strike is not currently a primary concern. The digital flight data recorder has been recovered, which will provide crucial information on the flight’s final moments.
As families mourn their loved ones, the community is rallying together to support the children left behind, ensuring that they are cared for in the wake of this unimaginable loss.