Ahmedabad plane crash: Mother still haunted by son’s death a year later

A year after the Air India AI171 crash in Ahmedabad, the grief remains raw for the family of 10-year-old Akash, who was killed when a section of the aircraft fell on him as he slept under a tree near BJ Medical College.

According to his mother, Sita, Akash had brought lunch for her at a tea stall near the medical college on the afternoon of the crash. After she finished eating, he lay down to rest across the road. Minutes later, the London-bound aircraft crashed into the college hostel complex, triggering a massive fire.

Mother recalls seeing flames engulf the area and desperately trying to reach her son. However, she says a part of the aircraft's wing fell directly on him, leaving him no chance to escape.

The crash also left Sita Ben severely burned. She underwent treatment at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital for 21 days. Despite her injuries, she says her only concern was whether her son had survived.

Akash was the couple’s only child. His mother describes him as a bright student who often spoke about studying hard and supporting his family in the future. She remembers his fondness for simple breakfasts of warm milk and khari biscuits from the tea stall where she worked.

Twelve months on, the family says daily life has not returned to normal. The loss of their only son continues to dominate every conversation, leaving a silence that, according to his mother, no compensation or passage of time can fill.