The aviation world was shaken to its core when Air India Flight AI171, bound for London with 242 people onboard, crashed as it took off from Ahmedabad airport. Among the heartbreaking stories that emerged from this tragedy, none captured the public’s attention quite like that of a doctor couple whose final family selfie went viral across social media platforms. Dr. Komi Vyas and her husband, Dr. Prateek Joshi, were traveling with their three children—twin sons Nakul and Pradyut, aged five, and their eight-year-old daughter, Miraya—when tragedy struck.
The family’s story represents not just another statistic in aviation disasters, but a poignant reminder of dreams interrupted and lives cut tragically short. Their final photograph, taken moments before takeoff, has become a haunting symbol of hope, love, and the fragility of life, resonating with millions worldwide who have been moved by their story of sacrifice, ambition, and ultimate tragedy.
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Doctor Couple’s Final Air India Selfie Before: A Family’s Journey to London
Dr. Komi Vyas had recently quit her job at a hospital in Udaipur to join her husband, Dr. Prateek Joshi, in London. This decision represented months of careful planning and sacrifice as the family prepared to reunite and build their future in the United Kingdom. Both doctors previously worked at the Pacific Hospital in Udaipur, Rajasthan, but when Dr. Joshi moved to London some time ago, the entire family had waited to be united again and have a future in the British capital. The separation had been temporary but difficult, with Dr. Vyas maintaining her medical practice in India while her husband established their new life abroad.
Dr. Prateek Joshi, a radiologist who had moved to the UK months earlier, was finally ready to welcome his family to their new home. The couple had been married for ten years, building not just their medical careers but also raising three beautiful children who represented their hopes for the future. Just two days prior to the tragic incident, Dr. Komi Vyas made the significant decision to resign from her job in India, with their bags packed and heartfelt goodbyes exchanged as the family prepared to embark on a new chapter of their lives.
The Final Moments: A Selfie That Became a Symbol
The selfie, taken by Dr. Joshi before takeoff, shows the couple smiling across the aisle from their three children, capturing what was meant to be a joyful new chapter in their lives. This final photograph has since gone viral, not as a celebration of their journey, but as a heartbreaking reminder of lives lost too soon. The family’s final moments were captured in this now widely-circulated selfie—Dr. Joshi and Dr. Vyas smiling across the aisle from their children, 8-year-old daughter Miraya and 5-year-old twins Nakul and Pradyut, taken just before take-off.
The image shows a family filled with excitement and anticipation, completely unaware that these would be their final moments together. Dr. Joshi can be seen taking the selfie while his wife smiles beside him, their children visible in the seats across the aisle, all of them preparing for what they believed would be the flight that would finally reunite them permanently in London. The photograph captures pure joy and hope, making its viral spread all the more poignant as it represents the last happy moment of a family whose dreams were cut tragically short.
Understanding the Tragedy: What Happened to Air India Flight AI171
The London-bound Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashed soon after it took off from Ahmedabad around 1:38 p.m. local time, with only one known survivor out of the 242 people onboard. The aircraft struck a building where medical students were sitting down to lunch, making this the first crash of this kind of Boeing airliner. The tragedy sent shockwaves through the aviation industry and the medical community, particularly as it claimed the lives of healthcare professionals who had dedicated their careers to saving others.
Ramesh Viswashkumar, the only known survivor, had been sitting near an emergency exit of the London-bound flight and managed to jump out, according to police reports. The single survivor’s account has become crucial for investigators trying to piece together the final moments of the flight. The crash has prompted immediate investigations into the cause, with aviation experts worldwide seeking answers to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The Medical Community’s Loss: Remembering Dr. Komi Vyas and Dr. Prateek Joshi
The medical community has lost two dedicated professionals whose commitment to healthcare extended beyond their professional duties. According to hospital sources, both Dr. Vyas and Dr. Joshi had worked at Pacific Hospital, where they were known for their dedication to patient care and their professional excellence. Their colleagues remember them as compassionate doctors who balanced their demanding careers with their responsibilities as loving parents.
Dr. Komi Vyas’s decision to leave her established medical practice in Udaipur demonstrates the sacrifices that medical professionals often make for their families. Her choice to prioritize family reunification over career stability reflects the deep love she had for her husband and children. Similarly, Dr. Prateek Joshi’s move to London months earlier shows his commitment to providing better opportunities for his family, even at the cost of temporary separation.
Impact on Families and Communities
Dr. Komi Vyas’s brother, Prabuddha, told the media that she had married Dr. Prateek Joshi ten years ago, highlighting the deep family connections that were severed by this tragedy. The extended family members are now left to cope with the devastating loss of five beloved family members, including three young children who represented the future of their lineage.
The tragedy has resonated particularly strongly within the Indian diaspora in the UK, where many families can relate to the experience of separation and reunion as they build new lives abroad. The story has sparked conversations about the risks that families take when pursuing opportunities in foreign countries and the precious nature of family bonds that transcend geographical boundaries.
Aviation Safety and Investigation Updates
Following this devastating crash, investigations have started into the Air India crash, with families of victims arriving at hospitals frantic for updates. The aviation authorities are working tirelessly to determine the cause of this tragedy and implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The crash has renewed discussions about aviation safety protocols and the importance of rigorous maintenance and safety checks for commercial aircraft.
The investigation is particularly significant because this represents the first crash of a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, an aircraft model that has been considered one of the safest in commercial aviation. The findings from this investigation will likely influence safety protocols and procedures across the global aviation industry.
Air India Crash Exposes Boeing’s Legacy: Dreamliner or Deadliner? A 2025 Investigation
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What caused the Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad?
A: The investigation into the Air India Flight AI171 crash is still ongoing. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, and aviation authorities are working to determine the exact cause of this tragedy that claimed 241 lives.
Q: Who were Dr. Komi Vyas and Dr. Prateek Joshi?
A: Dr. Komi Vyas and Dr. Prateek Joshi were a married couple of medical professionals who worked at Pacific Hospital in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Dr. Joshi had moved to London months earlier, and Dr. Vyas had recently quit her job to join him with their three children—8-year-old Miraya and 5-year-old twins Nakul and Pradyut.
