Smiling Moments Before Tragedy: Doctor Couple and Their Three Children Die in Air India Crash While Relocating to London

In a heartbreaking turn of events, a doctor couple and their three young children lost their lives in the devastating Air India flight AI-171 crash shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday. A family selfie taken just hours before the tragedy has gone viral, capturing their smiles as they embarked on a new chapter in London.

Dr. Pratik Joshi and Dr. Komi Vyas, along with their children—eight-year-old daughter Miraya and five-year-old twin sons Nakul and Pradyut—were among the 241 victims who perished when the Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashed into a residential area, erupting into flames minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

The family had been preparing for this move for months. Dr. Joshi had already been working in London for the past six years, and Dr. Vyas, a well-regarded physician at Pacific Hospital in Udaipur, had resigned just two days earlier to reunite the family abroad.

A final photograph shared by Komi Vyas on social media showed the couple smiling, seated on the plane, with their three children behind them—faces filled with excitement for the journey ahead.

The crash, one of the deadliest in India’s aviation history, claimed 241 lives out of the 242 people on board. The lone survivor, identified as Ramesh Vishwaskumar, is currently undergoing treatment and is said to be in stable condition.

Tributes and Grief

Neighbours, friends, and colleagues across Udaipur and Ahmedabad are mourning the loss of the family. “They were a warm, aspirational couple who wanted the best for their children,” said a family friend. “The entire community is in shock.”

The Tata Group, which owns Air India, has announced a compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of each victim. A dedicated helpline has been launched to support families:

India: 1800 5691 444

International: +91 8062779200

Investigation Underway

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected to send a team to assist in investigating the cause of the crash. Initial reports suggest the aircraft lost control shortly after takeoff, but a detailed analysis is awaited.

As the nation mourns this terrible loss, the final image of Dr. Joshi and Dr. Vyas with their children remains a painful reminder of lives full of hope, cut tragically short.