How Did Diu Suffer from the Loss of 9 Lives in the Ahmedabad Plane Crash?

Ahmedabad, June 18 (NationPress) The crash of Air India Flight AI-171 shortly after its departure on June 12 has left an indelible mark on India, emerging as one of the country’s most devastating air disasters in recent history. This tragic event has hit hard in Diu, particularly affecting a small coastal village that is now engulfed in sorrow.

Among the 241 individuals on the London-bound flight, 14 hailed from Diu, and the village of Bucharwada is mourning the loss of nine of its own who were victims of this calamity. As the community prepares for their funerals, the sense of loss is palpable.

All 14 victims had deep connections to Diu, a former Portuguese territory celebrated for its extensive diaspora reaching from the Arabian Sea to Europe. Many had relocated to the UK or Portugal over the years, obtaining foreign citizenship while maintaining their ties to their homeland.

These individuals often returned home to visit aging loved ones, partake in weddings, celebrate festivals, or reconnect with their roots.

“The grief is beyond words,” shared Dinesh Bhanu, a local panchayat member in Bucharwada.

“Nine families in our village are mourning. These were individuals who never forgot their homeland, even after moving across oceans.” One of the Portuguese citizens aboard the ill-fated flight had recently ventured to Diu to delve into his cultural heritage.

Another passenger, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, had been visiting family in Diu and is now recognized as the sole survivor of the tragic incident.

The aircraft, which carried a total of 242 passengers, erupted into flames moments after take-off from Ahmedabad airport, crashing into the B.J. Medical College campus nearby.

The disaster claimed the lives of 241 individuals on the aircraft, in addition to 29 civilians on the ground, which included medical students, hostel staff, and unsuspecting bystanders. The current official death toll has reached 270.

Among those who lost their lives were 53 British and 7 Portuguese citizens.

The Gujarati diaspora, especially from Diu, represents a significant portion of these tragic losses. The emotional impact has been particularly severe in Diu, where the collective grief is intensified by an overwhelming sense of interrupted homecoming.

Authorities have successfully matched DNA samples from 184 victims and have returned 158 bodies to their families thus far.

Eleven victims remain unidentified, potentially local residents or laborers caught in the explosion's vicinity. Law enforcement is urging the public to provide information on any missing individuals who might have been near the crash site that day.