Ahmedabad plane crash: Woman escapes death after missing flight by 10 minutes

Bhoomi Chauhan, a resident of Bharuch, had a narrow escape from death after she missed boarding the ill-fated Air India flight 171 by just ten minutes. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 of the 242 people on board.

Recounting the chilling turn of events, Bhoomi told ANI, “We reached the check-in gate ten minutes late due to traffic in Ahmedabad. I pleaded, but they didn’t allow me to board, saying it would delay the flight further. When I heard it had crashed, I was numb. I thank the Mother Goddess that I’m alive. It’s terrifying.”

Her mother, still in shock, credited divine intervention for her daughter’s survival. “It’s because of the Mother Goddess. Bhoomi left her child with me that day. I believe it was that child’s presence and the Goddess’s blessing that saved her.”

Bhoomi’s father confirmed the family’s frantic efforts to make it on time. “We were delayed by traffic. Even though we requested, they didn’t let her board. As we stepped out of the airport, we heard about the crash. It was devastating.”

The flight, bound for London Gatwick, crashed on Thursday minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad International Airport. Among the 242 people on board were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. Air India confirmed the death toll late Friday, stating that only one British national of Indian origin survived. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned Line Training Captain with 8,200 flying hours, alongside First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the plane made a Mayday call after taking off at 1:39 PM IST from Runway 23. Soon after, it lost contact and crashed just beyond the airport perimeter, sending up thick black smoke.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site Friday morning to assess the situation. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and other top officials accompanied him. The PM also visited survivors at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.