Air India crashes from Dubai-Mangalore to Ahmedabad: Why scars won’t heal

Dubai: “Grief changes shape, not significance,” says Suneesh, a Dubai resident who recently marked the 15th death anniversary of his elder brother Vijesh – one of the 158 passengers killed in the May 22, 2010, Air India Express tragedy.

Flight IX-812, a Boeing 737-800 aircraft en route from Dubai to Mangalore, had overshot the tabletop runway at Mangalore International Airport, making it one of India’s worst air disasters.

“I cannot forget his loss just because 15 years have passed,” Suneesh said quietly. “The bond we shared matters more than time. You may not cry every day, but a part of you always carries that loss. Mourning often becomes quieter, but it never disappears.”

Gulf News reached out to Suneesh in the aftermath of the recent Ahmedabad tragedy, where an Air India Boeing 787 turned into a fireball just 32 seconds after take-off.

The crash, which claimed dozens of lives, has sent shockwaves through the Indian expat community, especially among those who still carry scars from previous aviation disasters. “I was hoping nothing bad would happen, but it ended in a shocking way," Suneesh said.

Meanwhile, Dubai resident Sonya finds herself revisiting old chats and photos shared by her close friend Aparna, a native of Baroda, Gujarat – who died in the Ahmedabad crash along with her husband, Neeraj.

“Some friendships don’t need daily calls or constant contact – they live on in the heart,” Sonya said, paying tribute. “Aparna was that kind of friend. Though she’s no longer here, she remains etched in my heart forever.”

According to Dr Amir Javaid, Consultant Psychiatrist at Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi, the psychological aftermath of such tragedies is profound and long-lasting.

“In just 30 seconds, so many dreams and hopes are shattered,” he said, referring to the recent Ahmedabad crash – now considered one of the deadliest in Indian aviation history.

“This kind of trauma can lead to grief, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, or even emotional numbness. It’s an irreparable loss that will never heal despite the time.”

Asked why sudden, tragic deaths leave a deeper scar compared to anticipated loss due to illness, Dr Javaid noted: “There’s a significant difference. In such crashes, there is no warning, no mental preparedness, no time to say goodbye. The shock factor compounds the grief. Many survivors and families experience what we call pathological grief – a deep, unrelenting sorrow that can affect day-to-day functioning.”