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Gujarati Filmmaker Mahesh Kalavadia Missing Since Air India Crash Confirmed Dead After DNA Match

June 21, 2025, 3:50 pm

The tragic death of Gujarati filmmaker Mahesh Kalavadia, popularly known as Mahesh Jirawala, has been officially confirmed following the deadly Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12. Authorities verified his identity after DNA samples matched those submitted by his family, putting an end to the agonizing wait for confirmation.

Phone Location, Scooter Clues Led to DNA Submission

The wife of Mahesh Kalavadia played a critical role in initiating the identification process. She shared that his mobile phone’s last known location was approximately 700 meters from the crash site. “According to the last location of his phone, the filmmaker was present at a distance of 700 meters from the accident site,” she stated.

Fearing the worst, she submitted DNA samples for verification. Authorities recovered a burnt Activa scooter belonging to Jirawala from the scene, which raised concerns that the falling aircraft might have directly impacted him. His phone, found switched off at the crash site, further pointed to the likelihood of his presence during the tragedy.

Family Initially Refused to Accept Death of Mahesh

Initially, Jirawala’s family refused to accept the possibility of his death, holding out hope that he might have survived. However, police presented conclusive evidence—including the chassis number of the burnt scooter and the DNA match—that confirmed the filmmaker’s identity. “They were not ready to believe his death,” sources reported. The evidence eventually convinced the grieving family to accept the heartbreaking truth.

Mahesh Jirawala’s Legacy in the Gujarati Film Industry

Mahesh Jirawala resided in Naroda, Ahmedabad and was well-known in the Gujarati film circuit for directing music videos and awareness projects, including campaigns on AIDS prevention. He served as the CEO of Mahesh Jirawala Productions and directed a Gujarati feature film in 2019. He leaves behind his wife, Hetal, and their two children—a daughter and a son.

Crash Details and Victim Statistics

The Air India flight, en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed into the B J Medical Hostel in Shahibaug on June 12. The incident killed over 279 people, making it one of the deadliest air disasters in Indian aviation history.

Authorities have completed 231 DNA identifications and have handed over 210 bodies to families, according to the latest data. The deceased include 155 Indians, 36 British nationals, seven Portuguese, one Canadian, and nine residents.

Manipur Mourns Air India Tragedy: Kuki & Meitei Cabin Crew Killed in Ahmedabad Crash

June 14, 2025, 4:31 pm

In an unusual display of solidarity, the Manipuris have put aside traditional ethnic rivalries to weep for the untimely deaths of two young women — Lamnunthiem Singson, a Kuki-Zo, and Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailakpam, a Meitei — who were among the 10-member cabin staff that made up the ill-fated Air India crew that perished in the Air India plane crash at Ahmedabad on Thursday.

The tragic accident took the lives of 241 people, including the two women from Manipur. Their demise has united the Kuki and Meitei people as years of conflict have never managed to do.

Since Thursday afternoon, when news of the accident emerged, families, friends, and well-wishers in Manipur started conducting prayers for the two cabin staff. Their death has hit a hard place amid the over two years of ethnic strife.

“Manipur people as a whole are heartbroken, disregarding community lines. Our state has been polarised for more than two years along ethnic lines. Unfortunately, in their demise, the sky angels united the two communities and left us with a stark reminder of how valuable human lives are and how we should live in peace, as we have done for centuries,” a Delhi-based Meitei Heritage Society spokesperson said.

DNA Testing Underway to Identify Victims of Air India Crash

On Friday, relatives of Nganthoi rushed to Ahmedabad to provide DNA samples for identification after authorities requested her cousin, N Khenjita, to travel. Family members of Lamnunthiem Singson are also in the city for the same process.

“In their passing, they have become angels of the sky, reminding us of the preciousness of human life and the urgent need for peace,” the spokesperson added.

Emotional Tributes Flow In

Words of sadness have poured out on social media sites. One ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) user posted, “In life, they came from conflict-divided communities, and in death, they remind us that, at the end of it all, we are all equal.”

Manipur Congress chief Lamtinthang Haokip shared condolences, tweeting, “May their souls rest in peace,” and also former chief minister N Biren Singh.

“From the heart, it’s painful to inform that two Manipuri young cabin crew members, Kongrabailatpam Nganthoi Sharma and Lamnunthem Singson, were among the victims of today’s crash of the Air India plane in Ahmedabad,” he tweeted on ‘X’.

It is heartbreaking to share that two young cabin crew members from Manipur, Kongrabailatpam Nganthoi Sharma and Lamnunthem Singson, were among those who lost their lives in today’s Air India crash in Ahmedabad.

Both were full of life, serving with dedication and pride. Their… pic.twitter.com/j6QIslighu

— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) June 12, 2025

“They were both very much alive, working with dedication and pride. Their untimely death is a tragic loss to their families, their friends, and to us all back home,” he continued.

Civil Society Reacts with Candlelight Demonstrations and Solidarity

The Delhi Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) has planned a candlelight procession to pay tribute to all victims of the crash. They also committed complete solidarity to the mourning families, particularly to Singson, who was the only breadwinner in her family.

Singson’s family, displaced by ethnic strife, now live in a rented house in Kangpokpi. After her untimely death, they are left with an uncertain future.

Though the tragedy has created a vacuum in the lives of countless people, it has also acted as a strong unifying reminder of common humanity and the need for healing in Manipur immediately. Amidst unimaginable loss, communities are uniting to remember the lives of two young women who, in death, have become emblematic of peace and unity.

Air India Flyer Claims He Was on Same Aircraft That Later Crashed: ‘Noticed Unusual Things’

June 13, 2025, 6:09 pm

Within days of news of the Air India crash in Ahmedabad making headlines nationwide, a passenger emerged with an astonishing revelation. Based on his viral social media update, he had boarded the same plane ‘Air India Flight AI171’ two hours before the fatal crash on June 12. The passenger said he took off from Delhi and arrived in Ahmedabad on the ill-fated flight earlier that day and observed some “abnormal things” throughout his trip.

Posting a video on his social media account, the user posting by the username ‘akku92’ stated, “Was in the same dmn flight 2 hours ago before it departed from AMD. Came in this from DEL-AMD. Experienced strange things in the plane. Recorded a video to tweet to @airindia. I would like to provide more information. Please reach out to me.”

I was in the same damn flight 2 hours before it took off from AMD. I came in this from DEL-AMD. Noticed unusual things in the place.Made a video to tweet to @airindia i would want to give more details. Please contact me. @flyingbeast320 @aajtak @ndtv @Boeing_In #planecrash #AI171 pic.twitter.com/TymtFSFqJo

— Akash Vatsa  (@akku92) June 12, 2025

In the video, he filmed different problems on the plane, such as damaged entertainment screens and a malfunctioning air conditioning system. In the clip, he can be heard complaining, “Nothing is working, I don’t know why I booked this flight.” The post quickly became popular on X (formerly Twitter) with over 5,000 views.

Details of Crash and Emergency Response

Air India Flight AI171 crashed shortly after it departed from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was carrying 242 individuals, including passengers and crew members; among whom, allegedly, was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

The aircraft departed at 1:39 PM from Runway 23 and crashed in the hostel mess compound of BJ Medical College in Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad. A distress ‘May Day’ call to Ahmedabad air traffic control was made shortly after takeoff, as per aviation regulator DGCA, but no reply was heard. Rescue and fire operations were initiated immediately, but the number of fatalities is yet to be officially declared.

Social Media Reactions

The flyer’s post drew mixed reactions online. Some users expressed gratitude that he brought attention to potential maintenance issues, while others urged caution.

One of them said, “I won’t purchase the explanation provided by Akash. Entertainment screens not working or seats/upholstery not in optimum condition has nothing to do with the safety of the plane. I’m not an expert but this may be a matter of engine failure, over-fuelling, or misses related to maintenance.”

Another commenter typed, “Thank you for posting to make people aware and I’m relieved that you’re okay. This is so tragic. My thoughts are with all and families of this Air India flight.”

India Begins Investigation Into Deadly Air India Crash in Ahmedabad

June 13, 2025, 8:09 am

India has launched a formal investigation into the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171, which killed 241 people, including passengers and crew, on Thursday afternoon. The plane, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was en route to London’s Gatwick Airport when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.

Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau to Lead Probe

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will carry out the investigation. The inquiry will follow global standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Naidu said in a public statement, “Following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, a formal investigation has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, in line with international protocols set by ICAO.”

One Survivor Found

The crash had 230 passengers and 12 crew members on board. Out of all those on the flight, only one person survived. Video footage shared online showed the aircraft crashing into a building and a nearby medical college, immediately erupting into flames.

Expert Committee to Examine Cause

In addition to the official investigation, the Indian government plans to set up a special high-level panel. This group will include experts from multiple sectors to study the reasons behind the crash and recommend improvements to aviation safety practices.

Naidu added, “The committee will work to strengthen aviation safety and prevent such incidents in future.”

United Kingdom to Assist in Investigation

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and confirmed that the British government would send a team to India to help with the investigation. The team will also support the families of British nationals who lost their lives.

The flight included 53 British citizens, along with seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian.

Sharing his condolences, Starmer posted on X, “The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating. I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.”

‘I Survived the Crash’: 40-Year Old Ahmedabad Man Claims He Escaped Air India Plane Crash Alive

June 12, 2025, 7:15 pm

While desperate relatives scoured Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital in Asarwa after the deadly Air India crash, one of the survivors, 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, rested in the general ward remembering his harrowing ordeal.

“Thirty seconds into flight, there was a big sound and then the plane crashed. It all happened really fast,” Vishwash said to Hindustan Times, recounting the terrifying moment when the plane crashed. He received ‘impact injuries’ to his chest, eyes, and feet from the accident.

Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which was en route to Gatwick, carried 242 individuals including staff when it took off at 1:39 pm on Thursday. Within minutes of takeoff, the plane crashed and caught fire. The passengers consisted of 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian, according to Air India.

Vishwash is a British citizen who had been in India seeing family and was flying back to the UK with his brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh (45). He was still holding his boarding pass when he spoke from his hospital bed. “When I woke up, there were bodies everywhere. I was frightened. I got up and ran. There were fragments of the plane everywhere. Someone took hold of me and placed me in an ambulance and took me to the hospital,” he stated.

A two-decade resident of London, Vishwash claimed his wife and child also reside in the UK. He further mentioned Ajay, who occupied another row of seats in the plane, is also missing. “We went to Diu. He was with me and I lost him again. Help me trace him,” he begged.

At the same hospital, scenes of pandemonium and heartbreak were witnessed as desperate families scoured for survivors. Among the people were relatives of ex-Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was said to have been on the ill-fated flight.

Sailesh Mandliya, an ex-adjutant of Rupani, stated from the hospital, “We are searching for him. If you get to know something, inform me,” he said to Hindustan Times.

The tragedy has left a dark shadow over a number of countries, with families waiting anxiously as rescue efforts go on.