Air India plane crash: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal's final rites held in Mumbai

ANI June 17, 2025 371 views

The final rites of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who perished in the Air India crash, were held in Mumbai. Gujarat officials confirmed DNA matches for 125 victims, with remains returned to 83 families. A memorial in London honored the victims, attended by diplomats and UK officials. The crash claimed 241 lives, with only one survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, still recovering.

"We stand united in grief for the lives lost in this tragedy." – Vikram Doraiswami, Indian Ambassador to the UK
Mumbai, June 17: The mortal remains of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, one of the pilots of the ill-fated Air India flight, were brought to his residence in Powai, Mumbai, on Tuesday. The mortal remains were later taken for the final rites, with Captain Sabharwal's father, Pushkaraj, paying an emotional tribute to his son outside their residence.

Key Points

1

Captain Sabharwal among 241 victims of Air India crash

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DNA samples matched for 125 victims

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UK memorial held with Indian diaspora

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Lone survivor Vishwashkumar Ramesh recovering

Captain Sabharwal lost his life in the tragic accident that occurred on June 12 when the London-bound flight crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad.

On Monday, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi confirmed that DNA samples of 125 victims in the Air India plane crash had been successfully matched, and families of 124 deceased had been contacted. The mortal remains of 83 victims were handed over to their families.

The minister visited the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Gandhinagar, where DNA testing of the deceased was being conducted by teams from the FSL and National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU).

Earlier, a memorial ceremony was held by the Indian High Commission in London to honour victims of the Air India AI171 crash. Dignitaries, including India's Ambassador Vikram Doraiswami and UK Deputy PM Angela Rayner, joined diaspora members to pay tribute.

India's Ambassador to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Canadian High Commissioner to the UK, Ralph Goodale, serving and former MPs, and members of the Indian diaspora gathered to pay tribute to the departed souls.

The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft crashed into a hostel complex shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, killing 241 passengers and crew, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

On June 12, the Al-171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 airoplane bound for London's Gatwick had crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport. The crash claimed 241 lives out of the 242 people onboard, which included 230 passengers and 12 crew members.

The lone survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, is currently undergoing treatment for his injuries.

Reader Comments

R
Rajiv K.
Heartbreaking to see such a young and talented pilot lose his life. Captain Sabharwal represented the best of India's aviation professionals. My deepest condolences to his family. The nation mourns with you. 🙏
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Priya M.
The way his father paid tribute was so emotional. Can't imagine their pain. This tragedy has shaken the entire aviation community. We need stricter safety audits for all airlines operating in India. #NeverAgain
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Amit S.
As someone who frequently flies Air India, this incident has left me shaken. The government must conduct a thorough investigation and make the findings public. Families deserve answers about what went wrong.
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Neha P.
The lone survivor's story gives us hope amidst this tragedy. Praying for Vishwashkumar's speedy recovery. Also appreciate the dignified way Gujarat government is handling the DNA matching process - this brings some closure to families.
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Sanjay V.
While we mourn, we must also ask tough questions. Why did a modern aircraft like Dreamliner crash? Maintenance records should be checked. Our aviation safety standards need urgent upgrade. Jai Hind!
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Kavita R.
The memorial in London shows how this tragedy has affected people across borders. Captain Sabharwal and all victims will be remembered as those who brought our nation together in grief. Om Shanti.
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Vikram D.
Respectful suggestion: Airlines should have better psychological support for families of victims. The trauma lasts much longer than the news cycle. We need systems to help them long-term.

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Tags:
Air India crash Captain Sumeet Sabharwal Mumbai Ahmedabad plane crash Vijay Rupani