The family of five was on their way to start a new life in London when tragedy struck in Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon, leaving the entire nation in mourning.
Dr. Komi Vyas and her husband, Dr. Prateek Joshi, along with their three children, were among the 242 people who lost their lives when Air India Flight 171 crashed moments after takeoff. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was bound for London when it exploded in flames just 32 seconds after lifting off from the runway at 1:38 p.m.
The couple’s twin sons, Nakul and Pradyut, aged five, and their daughter Miraya, eight, were also on board. A smiling selfie taken by Dr. Joshi from inside the plane before takeoff, showing the family settled into their seats and full of hope, has gone viral on social media — now serving as a painful symbol of a life and future lost.
Dr. Vyas had recently resigned from her position at a hospital in Udaipur to join her husband in the UK, where he had already secured a new role. Both doctors were previously employed at Pacific Hospital in Udaipur. “Komi had quit her job recently to join her husband in London,” a hospital spokesperson noted.
According to Dr. Joshi’s cousin, Nayan, the doctor had visited Banswara earlier in the week to bring his family back to Ahmedabad in time for the flight. “Prateek had come here just two days ago to take his wife and children with him. Several other members of both families went to see them off,” he said.
Aviation experts believe the aircraft may have suffered a sudden engine failure or failed to gain the required lift after takeoff. Former senior pilot Captain Saurabh Bhatnagar told NDTV,
“The take-off was perfect and just short of taking the gear up, the aircraft started descending, which can happen only in case the engine loses power or the aircraft stops developing lift.”
Out of 242 individuals aboard — including 230 passengers, 10 crew members, and two pilots — only one person survived. The sole survivor has been identified as 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British-Indian who was returning to the UK.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted his condolences on X, formerly Twitter, stating, “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it.” He also noted that he was in close contact with officials working to support those impacted.
