"Where Have You Gone?" Family Of Airhostess On Crashed Air India Plane

They are on their knees on the floor, frantically flipping through family photo albums. Tears continue to stream down their faces as they search for her picture: Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam, a crew member on the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed in Ahmedabad shortly after take off.

The plane was headed to Gatwick airport in the UK, Air India said, when it crashed in a civilian area near the airport. 

"The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals," Air India posted on X.

The family members of 22-year-old Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam, from Awang Leikei of Thoubal district in Manipur, were gathered on the red-tiled floor, consoling each other as they were informed of the crash. 

"My child, my child, I raised with these hands, where have you gone? I want to see you. Where are you," a woman is heard saying in the video.

"Please bring my phone, I need to see her photos. I am going crazy," another woman is heard saying. 

VIDEO | Ahmedabad plane crash: Family members of Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam, a crew member on board Air India flight AI171 en route to London, break down in grief upon receiving news of the tragic incident.#AhmedabadPlaneCrash #planecrash

(Full video available on PTI… pic.twitter.com/djxkfR22Op

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 12, 2025

She got a job of airhostess with Air India in 2023, her sister told NDTV. 

"We're three sisters. She joined in April 2023. It was her dream to become an airhostess. Because of the internet ban, we couldn't video chat as usual. But she messaged me when I was in school informing that she will be flying to London today and that she will be unreachable. She also said she will return back on 15 June. I wished her safe flight and told her we'll contact with her once the net service resumes," her sister Gitanjali told NDTV. 

"Then we heard of her incident when an aunt called to enquire. She said an Air India flight crashed in Ahmadabad. I told her Nganthoi said she will be flying to London today. Our aunt called and said the crashed plane was going to London from Ahmedabad. However, her phone is still ringing and even her online social media accounts are active. We're waiting for confirmation from the airlines official," she added.

Merely two minutes into the ascent, at around 1.40 p.m., the aircraft lost altitude and crashed into a medical college hostel building in the Meghani Nagar area, sparking a massive fire and widespread panic in the locality.

Rescue personnel reported that the black box of the aircraft has been recovered and will be crucial in determining the exact cause of the crash. 

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is one of the most advanced jets in service and experts say it has a generally strong safety record, with no previous fatal accidents. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the tragedy is "heartbreaking beyond words".

"The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words," PM Modi posted on X.

"In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected," the Prime Minister added. 

In the wake of the crash, the Gujarat government has set up a control room at the State Emergency Operation Centre.

Citizens and relatives of passengers can reach the center via phone: 079-232-51900 or mobile: 9978405304.

Additionally, Ahmedabad Civil Hospital has released two emergency numbers - 6357373831 and 6357373841 - for inquiries related to patient care and trauma center assistance.