AI-171 anniversary: 150 families seek permission for June 12 memorial at Ahmedabad crash site
Synopsis
One year after India's deadliest aviation disaster in decades, 150 families of AI-171 victims are fighting bureaucratic hurdles just to gather at the Meghani Nagar crash site in Ahmedabad. With the AAIB investigation still open and the site restricted, the families' request for a simple candlelight vigil on 12 June has exposed a painful gap between grief and procedure.
Key Takeaways
Around 150 families of Air India Flight AI-171 victims have formally requested police support for a memorial gathering on 12 June 2026 — the first anniversary of the crash.
The proposed event at Meghani Nagar , Ahmedabad , is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and will include a minute of silence, a candlelight prayer, and tributes.
Local police cannot grant access to the crash site as it remains under the jurisdiction of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) .
Families must seek AAIB clearance via email; road-side ceremonies require separate permission from Shahibaug Police Station .
The AI-171 crash on 12 June 2025 killed 260 people ; the AAIB investigation is ongoing with no final conclusions reached.
Around 150 families who lost loved ones in the Air India Flight AI-171 disaster have approached authorities seeking police support for a remembrance gathering at the crash site in Ahmedabad's Meghani Nagar on 12 June 2026 — the first anniversary of the tragedy that claimed 260 lives. The request comes as the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) investigation into India's deadliest aviation disaster in decades remains ongoing.
What the Families Are Requesting
In a letter dated 8 June, Kuldip Ishrani, representing bereaved families, formally requested police assistance for a memorial programme scheduled from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Meghani Nagar crash site. The proposed gathering would include a period of silence, a candlelight prayer, and tributes to those who perished.
The letter was addressed to multiple authorities, including the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner, and the Ahmedabad District Collector. Families assured authorities that all participants would cooperate fully with police and government agency instructions.
Access to the Crash Site Remains Restricted
Permission, however, is not straightforward. Ishrani confirmed that the Meghani Nagar Police Inspector informed him that the crash site remains under the jurisdiction of the ongoing AAIB investigation, making it impossible for local police to grant access independently.
'The crash site is currently under investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. Therefore, the police are unable to grant any permission related to access to the crash site,' Ishrani said, relaying the inspector's response.
Families wishing to access the site must obtain clearance directly from the AAIB via email. Separately, any religious ceremony, prayer meeting, or tribute programme held on the road would require permission from Shahibaug Police Station, Ishrani noted.
About the AI-171 Disaster
Flight AI-171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed within minutes of departure from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on 12 June 2025. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner came down in the Meghani Nagar area, striking buildings linked to B.J. Medical College. The disaster killed 260 people — passengers, crew members, and residents on the ground — with only one passenger surviving.
The AAIB has repeatedly stated that no final conclusions have been reached and has urged caution against speculation about the cause of the crash. According to reports, investigators are expected to release a further report around the anniversary period, though final findings may take longer given the complexity of the investigation.
Scale of the Memorial and What Comes Next
The proposed gathering is expected to draw families from across India and abroad, making it a significant moment of collective mourning. This is the first formal organised remembrance since the crash, and its success hinges on AAIB clearance — a process that remains unresolved as of 9 June.
With the anniversary just days away, bereaved families and authorities are working against the clock to determine whether the memorial can proceed at the crash site itself or will need to be relocated to a nearby public road.
Point of View
Leaving bereaved families to navigate a fragmented chain of authorities. The AAIB's continued silence on a final report, while procedurally justified, compounds the anguish. Other aviation regulators globally have managed to carve out supervised memorial access without compromising investigations — a model India's civil aviation ministry may need to consider before the next such tragedy.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AI-171 remembrance gathering planned for 12 June 2026?
It is a peaceful memorial event proposed by around 150 families of victims of the Air India Flight AI-171 crash, scheduled from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Meghani Nagar crash site in Ahmedabad. The programme includes a minute of silence, a candlelight prayer, and tributes to those who died.
Why have families been denied permission to access the AI-171 crash site?
The crash site in Meghani Nagar remains under the jurisdiction of the ongoing Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) investigation, which means local police cannot independently grant access. Families must obtain clearance directly from the AAIB via email.
How many people died in the Air India Flight AI-171 crash?
The crash claimed 260 lives, including passengers, crew members, and residents on the ground. Only one passenger survived. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner went down in Ahmedabad's Meghani Nagar area shortly after departing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on 12 June 2025.
What is the current status of the AAIB investigation into AI-171?
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau investigation remains ongoing, with no final conclusions reached as of June 2026. The AAIB has urged caution against speculation about the cause. According to reports, a further interim report is expected around the anniversary period, though the final findings may take longer.
Can the families hold a memorial on the road near the crash site?
Yes, according to family representative Kuldip Ishrani, a religious ceremony or prayer meeting held on the road — rather than at the restricted crash site itself — would require separate permission from Shahibaug Police Station.
