Captain Sumeet Sabharwal Laid to Rest as Nation Mourns AI 171 Crash Victims

Mumbai: The mortal remains of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, one of the pilots who lost his life in the tragic Air India AI 171 crash, were brought to his residence in Powai on Tuesday, where a wave of grief swept through the community. Family members, friends, and neighbours gathered in solemn silence to pay their final respects to the late aviator.

Captain Sabharwal was among the 241 people who perished when the London-bound Air India Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12. His father, Pushkaraj Sabharwal, offered a tearful tribute to his son, expressing both heartbreak and pride in his legacy.

The devastating crash claimed the lives of 230 passengers and 11 crew members, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The sole survivor, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, remains under medical care.

DNA Identification and Victim Repatriation

On Monday, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi announced that DNA identification had been completed for 125 victims, with families of 124 deceased individuals already notified. The remains of 83 victims have so far been released to their next of kin.

Sanghavi also visited the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Gandhinagar, where DNA matching operations are being conducted by teams from both FSL and the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU).

International Memorial Held in London

In London, the Indian High Commission hosted a memorial service to honour the victims of AI 171. The emotional gathering was attended by prominent figures including India’s Ambassador to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Canadian High Commissioner Ralph Goodale, members of parliament, and members of the Indian diaspora.

The ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner had been en route to London’s Gatwick Airport when it crashed into a hostel complex just minutes after takeoff, resulting in one of India’s deadliest aviation tragedies in recent years.

As the nation continues to mourn, tributes pour in for Captain Sabharwal and all the lives lost in the disaster. The authorities have vowed continued support for the bereaved families and a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.