Families Gather for Candlelight Tribute After Air India Tragedy

Memorial for Air India Boeing 787 Tragedy in Ahmedabad

Families of the 260 victims who perished when an Air India Boeing 787 crashed a year ago will gather on Friday for prayers and a candlelight ceremony.

• The memorial site is near the B. J. Medical College, close to where the wreckage landed.
• Politicians and officials are expected to attend.
• The damaged buildings still bear the accident’s marks and remain closed; state plans to demolish them and build a new block funded by the Tata Group, majority owner of Air India.

The anniversary stirs deep grief among families and locals.
Suresh Patni, whose son worked at a tea stall and died that day, says the pain is still fresh. He added that compensation from Tata Trusts has helped his family cope.

Investigators have yet to pinpoint a clear cause. The deadliest aviation disaster in ten years, the crash remains unsolved.

• An early report indicated that the engine fuel controls on the Boeing 787 shifted from RUN to CUTOFF almost instantly, cutting fuel to both engines shortly after takeoff for London.
• A cockpit recording showed pilots discussing the issue; U.S. officials believe the captain may have cut the fuel flow.
• The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau said it was too early to draw firm conclusions.

Pushkar Raj Sabharwal, the father of the deceased captain, refuted blame on his son. He noted the captain’s long, accident‑free career and urged India’s top court to order an independent investigation that looks beyond pilot actions.

The event serves as a stark reminder of life’s fragility and the need for thorough investigations after such tragedies.