A newlywed man, Bhavik Maheshwari, tragically lost his life just two days after his wedding in the devastating Air India AI171 crash on June 12, 2025. The incident has left his family, especially his wife and father, in deep grief, as they struggle to cope with the sudden and irreversible loss.
The Air India aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick when it crashed shortly after takeoff, claiming over 265 lives, including 241 passengers and 12 crew members, leaving only one survivor. Among the lives lost was 26-year-old Bhavik Maheshwari, whose future was just beginning to unfold.
A Joyous Homecoming Turned Into Tragedy
Bhavik, who had been living and working in London for several years, had returned to India for a short 15-day vacation. His family in Vadodara’s Vadi area was overjoyed to have him home. During this visit, they suggested he get married, and arrangements were quickly made. He had a simple court marriage on June 10, 2025, surrounded by close friends and family.
His father, Arjun Maheshwari, emotionally shared with the media:
“During his trip to his hometown, we arranged his marriage. He was happy. We were all happy.”
The family had planned to host a grand celebration when Bhavik returned again from London. Sadly, that day will never come.
Wife Dropped Him Off at the Airport – Then the News Came
Just two days after their wedding, Bhavik’s wife accompanied him to Ahmedabad International Airport, where he boarded the ill-fated Air India flight. Tragically, before she could even reach home after dropping him off, the heartbreaking news broke.
A relative recounted:
“She had not even reached home when the message came that the plane had crashed. It was as if a mountain of grief fell on us.”
His Father’s Last Conversation with Him
Bhavik’s father recalled their final phone call, just 30 minutes before the crash. Bhavik had called to say everything was fine and he was about to take off.
“He told me not to worry, that everything was done, and he was heading home. He had completed his studies and was working in London. After half an hour, nobody could make any sense of what happened.”
Latest Update on the Air India AI171 Crash
The tragic incident occurred when Air India’s AI171 flight took off from Ahmedabad at around 1:30 PM. While ascending, the aircraft began to descend unexpectedly and crashed into a nearby doctor’s hostel, resulting in a massive explosion and fire that further increased the death toll.
Authorities have confirmed the following developments:
- Casualties: 241 passengers and 12 crew members lost their lives. Only one person survived the crash.
- Investigations Underway: Multinational investigation teams from India, the UK, and the US, along with Boeing, are examining the cause.
- Black Box Recovered: The flight’s black box has been retrieved, and analysis is in progress to determine the cause of the technical failure or human error.
- Compensation Announced: The TATA Group, which owns Air India, has announced compensation for the families of the deceased and is coordinating with hospitals for the treatment of the injured.
Conclusion
The Air India AI171 tragedy has shaken the nation and the global Indian diaspora. For Bhavik Maheshwari’s family, this was not just the loss of a loved one—it was the sudden end of a dream, a marriage that had just begun, and a future that held so much promise.
As investigations continue, families like the Maheshwaris are left grappling with unimaginable grief, hoping for answers and justice for their lost loved ones.