Dr. Prateek Joshi was a man whose life had always been defined by dedication—to his profession, to his community, and above all, to his family. A respected physician in the UK, he had built a life rooted in compassion, intellect, and care. But for all his accomplishments, nothing mattered more to him than the family he was bringing back together.

His wife, Dr. Komi Vyas, a brilliant pathologist, had remained in India with their three children, Miraya, the eldest at eight, and the playful five-year-old twins, Nakul and Pradyut. The Joshi family had planned this journey carefully—a new chapter awaited them in London, a life where the family could be together again after months of separation.

On the morning of June 12, 2025, their home buzzed with a mixture of excitement and anticipation. Luggage was packed, snacks tucked in, and amidst the usual chaos of children preparing for travel, there was a warmth in the air. Miraya clutched her favorite book, Nakul and Pradyut chased each other in circles, and Komi tried to corral the twins while smiling at her husband, who double-checked passports and boarding passes. There was laughter, gentle teasing, and a palpable sense of hope—the kind that comes when a family is finally about to reunite.

The Joshi family arrived at Ahmedabad airport, their eyes wide with excitement. Prateek lifted the twins into his arms while Komi held Miraya’s hand. They navigated the terminal with practiced ease, unaware that the journey they were about to embark upon would become a tragic turning point.

 Boarding Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, they found their seats together. Prateek, ever the father, allowed Miraya to sit on the window side so she could look out at the planes and the runway, while the twins squirmed in their seats, still buzzing with energy. Komi smiled at her husband, whispering words of reassurance as she buckled in the children.

Before takeoff, the Joshi family captured a final selfie. The image shows them smiling, cheeks pressed together, eyes sparkling with anticipation. It is a portrait of joy, hope, and togetherness—the last image of a family that would never make it to their new home. Friends and relatives later saw the photograph circulating online, and it became a poignant symbol of lives and dreams cut tragically short.

At 10:15 AM, the Dreamliner rolled down the runway and lifted into the sky. The plane had 242 passengers and crew onboard, all carrying their own stories, their own hopes and fears. But just thirty seconds after takeoff, calamity struck. The aircraft veered sharply, then crashed into a hostel building near B.J. Medical College in Meghani Nagar.

Witnesses later described the scene as one of utter devastation—flames engulfing the fuselage, smoke spiraling into the sky, screams echoing amidst chaos. The impact claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew, including the Joshi family, and at least 38 individuals on the ground. Only one person survived the crash.

For Prateek, Komi, and their children, the accident was instantaneous. In the span of moments, their plans, their future, and their shared dreams were extinguished. Friends in London, colleagues at hospitals, and family members across continents were left grappling with the incomprehensible loss. The children, full of curiosity and laughter, the parents, full of care and devotion, were gone—leaving behind a void that words could scarcely describe.

The Joshi family’s story struck a chord far beyond their immediate circle. Friends recalled Prateek as a man who had sacrificed tirelessly for others, who had devoted himself to saving lives, only to have his own cut short. Komi was remembered for her intellect, her warmth, and the way she made every patient and colleague feel seen and valued. Miraya, with her love of stories and her gentle heart, and the twins, whose laughter had filled every room they entered, became symbols of innocence lost too soon.

Investigators immediately began examining the wreckage. One of the flight’s black boxes was recovered, with authorities exploring possible causes including engine thrust failure, mechanical malfunctions, or even a bird strike. The Boeing 787 had long been regarded as a reliable aircraft, but in the wake of this disaster, every angle was scrutinized. Aviation experts, engineers, and families waited anxiously for answers, hoping to understand how a flight that had started with such promise could end in horror.

For the Joshi family’s friends and extended family, grief was compounded by the haunting image of the last photograph—the smiling faces of those who would never laugh again. Social media posts shared memories, messages of condolence poured in from around the world, and vigils were held to honor the lives of those lost. The tragedy became a global story not just because of the scale, but because of the humanity that shone through in those final moments—a family united, full of hope, captured forever in a single frame.

In the days following the crash, friends and colleagues spoke of Prateek and Komi as exemplars of love and service. Prateek’s dedication to medicine had saved countless lives, while Komi’s intelligence and kindness had inspired everyone around her. Their children, Miraya, Nakul, and Pradyut, were remembered as joyful, spirited, and full of life—a reminder of the future that had been cruelly taken. The story of the Joshi family became a narrative of not just loss, but of the deep connections, the love, and the care they had poured into the world.

Though the Joshi family’s time was tragically brief, their legacy continues. Their story serves as a stark reminder of life’s fragility, of the unpredictability of fate, and of the importance of cherishing every moment with loved ones. For those who knew them, the photograph they took before boarding is more than an image—it is a testament to the beauty, love, and hope they carried, even in their final moments.

Prateek, Komi, Miraya, Nakul, and Pradyut are mourned by a global community of family, friends, colleagues, and strangers whose lives they touched in ways both large and small. Their journey ended too soon, but the light they carried—the love of a family striving to be together—continues to inspire those who remember them.

The tragedy of Flight AI 171 remains a sobering chapter in aviation history, a stark reminder of the fragile intersection between human lives and the technology meant to carry them safely. Yet in the memory of the Joshi family, there is also hope—hope that the world will remember not just how they died, but how they lived, how they loved, and how, in their brief time together, they made life a little brighter for each other and for everyone around them.