How Did 33 from Anand and 17 from Kheda Perish in the Plane Crash?

Ahmedabad, June 13 (NationPress) In the aftermath of the tragic Air India plane crash that struck Ahmedabad, the Charotar area, which encompasses Anand and Kheda districts, stands out as one of the hardest-hit regions. There is an overwhelming atmosphere of disbelief permeating the villages and towns within these districts, with reports indicating that no fewer than 50 individuals from this area were aboard the ill-fated flight bound for London.

The flight AI171 met a tragic fate mere minutes after departing from Ahmedabad airport, carrying a total of 242 passengers. Among them, 33 hailed from Anand district, while 17 were from Kheda, as per early reports. Numerous families are now left heartbroken, with several members lost in this catastrophe.

Among the deceased are students, homemakers, and doctors, many of whom were en route to reunite with family in the UK. One poignant story is that of the Halani family from Anand, who had received visitor visas for a family reunion; tragically, all three members perished.

The Anand District BJP has shared a list of 33 identified passengers from villages such as Borsad, Phangni, Chikhodara, Karamsad, Sojitra, Ramnagar, Khambholj, Umreth, Kasumbad, Gana, Tarapur, and Anand city. The list includes 15 women and at least one medical professional. A crowd of mourning relatives has gathered at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where government teams are conducting DNA identification and assisting families during this harrowing time.

In Kheda district, the exact toll is still being determined. However, it has been confirmed that Prashant Patel, the former president of Kathlal Municipality, who had recently joined the BJP, was among those on board. Residents from Nadiad, Mehmadabad, Thasra, and Kathlal were also among those traveling to London.

Heartbreaking stories continue to emerge.

Nikhil Patel, a promising student from Fogani village in Petlad, was on his way to the UK for higher education on a student visa. This was his inaugural international journey, filled with dreams and aspirations, but tragically, his life was cut short before it could truly begin.

Parth Sharma, 22, from Tarapur in Anand, had just obtained his student visa for London.

After being dropped off at the airport by family and friends, the same group had barely reached Kheda when they were struck with the devastating news of the crash, prompting them to turn back in utter shock.

Manjula Patel, a mother from Borsad, had spent a decade striving to secure a visa to visit her son and grandchildren in the UK. After enduring 20 visa rejections, her dream was finally realized.

Yet, fate was unkind; this long-awaited reunion was never to be. Her family recounts that she boarded the flight brimming with joy, never to return.

Dirgh Prafulbhai Patel, the younger son of a family from Vadali in Kapadvanj, had just returned home for a brief visit 25 days prior. A resident of London, Dirgh was on his way back abroad when the crash claimed his life. His father, an employee at ITI, is inconsolable.