On Sunday, June 15, 2025, grieving families across India gathered to hold funeral services for their loved ones lost in the tragic Air India flight crash near Ahmedabad. The somber ceremonies marked a painful step in the nation’s mourning process following one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory. The funerals took place in various communities, including the Christian community at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in New Delhi, where candlelight prayer services were held to honor the victims. White coffins containing the remains of those identified through DNA testing were brought to families, many of whom were advised not to open the coffins to spare them additional trauma. The atmosphere was heavy with grief as relatives, friends, and community members came together to pay their final respects. NGO workers and hospital staff supported families through the difficult process of receiving the bodies and preparing for the funerals. Among the mourners were relatives of Arjun Patoliya, a father who perished in the crash, leaving behind two young daughters. Community leaders, such as Anjana Patel, mayor of London’s Harrow borough, expressed solidarity and called for collective support for the orphaned children.
International airlines suspend Middle East flights amid Israeli strikes on Iran
In response to Israeli military strikes targeting Iranian nuclear and missile facilities, a wave of international airlines has suspended or cancelled flights across the Middle East, citing escalating security risks and widespread airspace closures. Israel has closed its airspace indefinitely, grounding all flights at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Israeli carriers El Al and Israir have halted operations and evacuated aircraft from the region. Meanwhile, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Syria have also closed their airspaces, forcing airlines to reroute or cancel flights. Major carriers affected include Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Ryanair, and Aegean Airlines, which have suspended flights to Tel Aviv through mid to late summer. Russian Aeroflot cancelled its Moscow-Tehran route and adjusted other Middle East flights. Middle Eastern airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Turkish Airlines have also halted services to Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel, with some limiting flights to daylight hours only. Delta Airlines removed all New York-Tel Aviv flights through August 31, while Qatar Airways suspended flights to Iraq, Iran, and Syria until mid-June. Air India reported diversions and returns of multiple flights due to restricted airspace. These disruptions reflect the heightened tensions following Israel’s preemptive strikes, which have prompted regional airspace closures and raised safety concerns for international travel. Passengers are urged to check directly with airlines for the latest updates as the situation remains fluid.
Air India flight makes emergency landing in Phuket following bomb threat
An Air India flight traveling from Phuket to New Delhi was forced to make an emergency landing back in Phuket on Friday morning after a bomb threat was reported onboard shortly after takeoff. The Airbus A320, carrying 156 passengers, had just departed Phuket International Airport when the pilot informed air traffic control of a bomb threat message discovered on the aircraft. The flight then made a U-turn over the Andaman Sea, circling several times before safely returning to Phuket for an emergency landing. All passengers were evacuated without injury. Authorities conducted a thorough search of the plane but found no explosives or suspicious items. The Airports of Thailand confirmed the incident on their official Facebook page, emphasizing that safety protocols were promptly followed. This unsettling event comes just a day after a tragic Air India flight crashed in Ahmedabad, India, resulting in at least 265 fatalities. Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.
Man survives deadly Air India crash near Ahmedabad
Vishwashkumar Ramesh is the sole survivor of the Air India flight AI171 crash that killed 241 people shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was en route to London Gatwick when it crashed into a medical college hostel less than a minute after departure. Ramesh, seated in 11A, escaped the wreckage with multiple injuries and is currently in stable condition in hospital. He expressed shock at his survival and concern for his brother Ajay Kumar Ramesh, who was also on board and remains missing. Air India confirmed that all other passengers and crew perished, including 169 Indian nationals and 52 Britons. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. UK and Indian officials have mobilized crisis teams to assist families and coordinate the response. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has set up support centers for relatives in both countries. The tragedy has drawn condolences from leaders worldwide, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described the event as “heart-breaking beyond words.”
Air India flight AI171 crashes shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad
An Air India passenger plane, Flight AI171, crashed minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The Boeing B787 aircraft, bound for London Gatwick, went down near the Meghani area close to the airport, shortly after its 1:38 pm departure. Thick black smoke was seen billowing from the crash site, prompting an immediate response from fire services and emergency personnel. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the incident and said investigations are underway. There were 242 passengers on board at the time of the crash. Authorities have not yet released information on casualties or the cause of the crash. Rescue operations continue as emergency teams work at the scene. This tragic event has caused significant disruption at Ahmedabad airport, with officials urging the public to stay clear of the area as investigations proceed. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Elon Musk backtracks, apologizes for “Going too far” in Trump criticism
Elon Musk has expressed regret over his recent social media posts criticizing former President Donald Trump, admitting that his remarks “went too far.” The billionaire entrepreneur made the apology in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, which he owns. The public clash began after Musk condemned Trump’s signature budget legislation, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” calling it a “disgusting abomination” and warning it would dangerously increase the U.S. budget deficit. Musk accused Congress of reckless spending and said the bill would push America toward bankruptcy. Trump responded by accusing Musk of ingratitude, claiming Musk knew the bill’s details and had initially supported it. Musk denied ever seeing the bill before it was passed, calling the process rushed and secretive. The feud escalated with Musk making controversial claims, including linking Trump to the Jeffrey Epstein files—posts he later deleted amid speculation about their intensifying dispute. Despite their past alliance, with Musk having supported Trump’s 2024 campaign and briefly serving in his administration, tensions between the two have grown publicly bitter. Musk’s recent admission of regret may signal a step back from their heated exchanges. This conflict comes amid a significant drop in Musk’s personal wealth, reportedly losing $34 billion recently, one of the largest declines recorded on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Tesla shares also fell sharply during this period. Musk’s apology marks a rare moment of conciliation after weeks of sharp criticism and public accusations between the two high-profile figures.