Doctor's Family of Five Feared Dead in Air India Plane Crash

What began as a hopeful journey for one family ended in catastrophe aboard the ill-fated flight AI-171.

A tragic air disaster claimed the lives of 242 people, including a family of five from Rajasthan, who were aboard Air India flight 171. The flight, en route to London, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, June 12, at 1.38 p.m., engulfing the aircraft in flames just 32 seconds into its journey.

Among the passengers was Dr. Komi Vyas, a physician from Udaipur, her husband, Dr. Prateek Joshi, and their three children — eight-year-old Miraya and five-year-old twin boys, Nakul and Pradyut.

The family had been preparing for a new chapter in London, where Dr. Joshi had already settled. A poignant selfie, captured moments before take-off, shows the family smiling, unaware of the tragedy that would follow.

According to NDTV and a spokesperson from Pacific Hospital, Dr. Vyas had recently resigned from her position at the hospital in Udaipur to join her husband abroad. Dr. Joshi, who had been living in London for six years, returned to Rajasthan to accompany his family on their final journey.

Dr. Joshi's cousin, Nayan, shared that the family had left for Ahmedabad a day earlier, with several relatives accompanying them to the airport. Dr. Vyas' brother, Prabuddha, stated that she and Dr. Joshi had been married for ten years.

Both families have professional backgrounds — Dr. Joshi's father is a well-known radiologist, and Dr. Vyas' father served in the Public Works Department.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carried 230 passengers, 10 crew members, and two pilots. Only one survivor has been reported as of Thursday evening — Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British-Indian.

Preliminary expert analysis suggests the aircraft may have experienced a loss of engine power or failed to generate sufficient lift.

"The take-off was perfect and just, I believe, short of taking the gear up, the aircraft started descending... Obviously, the investigation will reveal the exact reason," explained Captain Saurabh Bhatnagar, a former senior pilot, to NDTV.

The Skin Doctor, writing on X, noted that the family's move had been in the making for years. Their belongings were packed, and the family boarded the plane filled with hope. The final selfie they took was sent to relatives before take-off — a snapshot of joy and anticipation before disaster struck.

The tragic incident has resonated widely online, with emotional reactions pouring in. One person wrote, "This tragedy is a call to live with intention, gratitude, and urgency. Because in the end, all we truly have is this moment. May Pratik, Komi, and their children rest in peace. And may their story remind us to live while we can."

Another shared, "I'm crying... I'm sitting on the other side of the world... I'm crying... How unfair can life be... I just had the privilege to put my kids to bed. Trust me.. the goodnights were different tonight.. no money can buy the appreciation I have right now."

One commenter added, "So so devastatingly heartbreaking. The excitement on those children's faces." Another reflected, "The thought of the smiling family will never be erased from my mind. Such a good reminder of how fickle life is. Tragic beyond words." One netizen said, "This is one of the saddest photos ever taken."

As news of the crash spread, tributes and expressions of sorrow flooded social media. Friends, colleagues, and former classmates remembered Dr. Vyas and Dr. Joshi as compassionate professionals and devoted parents whose lives ended far too soon.

Dr. Hital Patel, speaking on behalf of the Times of Piparia Alumni Group, shared a heartfelt Facebook post honoring Dr. Vyas. Describing her as "a kind, compassionate, and warm-hearted soul," Dr. Patel wrote that her loss, along with her husband and three children, was "a tragedy beyond words."

The post urged others to "take a moment to honor their memories and keep them in our prayers," ending with the solemn reflection, "Gone too soon, but never forgotten."

Another moving tribute came from Wanda Alemao Dangle, a fellow classmate of Dr. Joshi. Looking back on their time together as part of the "Millennium Batch," she shared her disbelief and sorrow, writing, "Rest in peace Dr prateek joshi and family… i can't come to terms that you are no more."

She recalled him as a joyful, always-helpful presence, and mourned the reunion they had all looked forward to. "So many dreams, so many aspiration undone," she expressed, remembering "the lil angel faces of your kids with dreams in their eyes." Her post ended with a poignant reminder, "Life is frail and fragile… cherish every relation."

While investigations into the cause of the crash continue, the loss of Dr. Vyas, Dr. Joshi, and their children stands as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the dreams left unfulfilled in an instant.