A FAMILY shared a heartbreaking selfie ahead on board the ill-fated flight that crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad today.
The family of five from Rajasthan, India, posted the happy picture ahead of the shocking tragedy.
Udaipur-based doctor Komi Vyas had just quit her job to join her husband Prateek Joshi in London along with their three kids.
The picture shows Joshi and Vyas with beaming smiles along with their children on board the ill-fated flight.
Joshi had moved to London some time ago, and the rest of the family was on their way to join him, NDTV has reported.
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“Komi had quit her job recently to join her husband in London,” a spokesperson for Pacific Hospital where she worked said.
Neighbours have told NDTV that Joshi’s father is a well respected radiologist in the city.
Joshi’s cousin Nayan said: “They left for Ahmedabad yesterday to take the flight to London.
“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.”
Vyas’ brother told NDTV the couple had been married for 10 years.
Air India Flight AI171 had been heading to London Gatwick when it crashed into a hostel used by doctors on Thursday.
There were 242 people on board, including 53 Brits and 11 children.
More than 200 bodies have been recovered so far, while one Brit is understood to have survived.
Haunting footage of the plane’s final moments shows before it crashed into a fireball.
A formal investigation into the crash has now been opened by India‘s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
Former senior pilot Captain Saurabh Bhatnagar informed NDTV that everything was smooth during take-off. However, just before retracting the landing gear, the plane unexpectedly began to descend. This kind of situation typically occurs when the engine malfunctions or the aircraft fails to generate enough lift.
“Obviously, the investigation will reveal the exact reason.”
Brit Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, is so far understood to be the only surviving passenger.
Incredible footage shows him walking away from the plane’s wreckage almost unscathed.
Speaking in Hindi, he says: “I just got out of the plane, it exploded.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X: “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.
“Have been in touch with ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.”
Air India has confirmed that 241 of the 242 people aboard flight AI171 have died following the crash.
The airline adding it “offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased”.
