The plane went down on June 12, 2025 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Only one person survived. The rest of the 242 passengers and crew lost their lives.
This was meant to be a routine flight from Ahmedabad to London. Instead it became a nightmare. Seconds after takeoff, the jet failed to climb and came crashing down. The crash took place in Meghani Nagar, a dense residential neighborhood. Many were killed on the ground too.
The pilot sent a Mayday call. Survivors nearby rushed to help. It all happened in less than half a minute. Only a British man of Indian origin survived.
The world barely took notice
Despite the scale of this tragedy, Western media barely covered it. Outlets outside Asia published short articles days later. There was no front-page coverage. No in-depth reporting.
That difference is hard to ignore. Compare it to recent crashes in Europe or North America. Those events had round-the-clock coverage. Global sympathy. The contrast is stark.
Unaffiliated journalist Megha Patel from Delhi put it simply. “If those lives were Western, this would not have been ignored.” She says the difference shows what lives are truly valued.
Social media filled the gap
On X and Instagram, hashtags like #AirIndia171 trended in India and among the diaspora. Candlelight vigils were held in London, Toronto, and Houston. Friends and strangers shared grief and frustration.
Still, the online comments hurt. Some called it “expected in India.” Others joked about the crash. Racist insults followed the tragedy like bad aftertaste.
India mourns publicly
Prime Minister Modi urged citizens to mourn. Flags were flown at half-mast. A national day of mourning was declared on June 14. Authorities recovered the black boxes. An investigation is underway.
Officials say they will look into mechanical failure, crew decisions, and weather. The country wants clear answers. Families want accountability.
A bigger conversation
This crash raises a global issue. Why do tragedies involving India and South Asia earn so little coverage? Why is empathy selective?
As grief continues, communities promise to speak up. They demand change in media. They demand respect for every life, no matter where it happens.
One survivor’s movement from wreckage to safety is a reminder. We must honor the losses too. Not just here at home. But everywhere.
Written by Dhruva Ambati
