Twenty-eight-year-old Ankita Patel was set to begin a new life in the United Kingdom with her husband Vasant, whom she had married just six months ago. But the deadly crash of Air India flight AI-171 on Thursday turned that hopeful journey into a heartbreaking tragedy, killing 265 people, including Ankita.
The couple got married on December 14 last year. After the wedding, Vasant returned to the UK, where he runs a provision store. Ankita remained in Mehsana, Gujarat, working for months to complete her visa formalities so she could join her husband and start their life together. On June 12, that moment finally arrived — or so she thought.
Ankita’s family and Vasant’s sisters had accompanied her to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad to see her off. “We left for Mehsana after she boarded the aircraft,” said Ashaben Patel, Ankita’s sister-in-law. “We had not even covered half the distance when we came to know about the aircraft, and we rushed back,” added another family member, Gayatri Patel.
Instead of reuniting with Ankita at London Gatwick Airport, Vasant returned to India to collect her remains. The grieving family is currently waiting at BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad for the results of DNA matching to officially identify Ankita’s body.
“He is very distressed,” Gayatri said, her voice trembling as she waited with other relatives. The shock and sorrow have overwhelmed the family, who had been eagerly looking forward to Ankita’s new beginning.
The tragic accident has not only shattered the Patel family’s dreams but also left behind a haunting reminder of how quickly joy can turn into grief. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, but for Ankita’s family, no answers can ease the pain of losing her.