“Their Dreams Crashed in the Same Sky They Loved…” Two Manipur Air Hostesses Among 241 Killed in Air India AI171 Crash

In one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s history, Air India Flight AI171 — a Boeing 787 Dreamliner flying from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick — crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 241 of the 242 people on board. Among the victims were two young air hostesses from Manipur: Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma and Lamnunthem Singson. Their sudden deaths have plunged their families and communities into unimaginable grief.

“I am hoping for some miracle,” said Nadesh Kumar Sharma, father of Kongbrailatpam, still struggling to process the loss. Despite official reports indicating slim chances of survival, and as neighbours gathered at their Thoubal residence to offer condolences, he clung to hope.

“My daughter was a dreamer. She always wanted to fly. Her aspiration made her an air hostess. She was very hardworking. As soon as the news broke in the afternoon, I dialled her number and it kept ringing. How is it possible that no one would survive in this crash? Maybe 10 people would… including my daughter. She was my second daughter and had been pulling off the family expenses. I just want her to come back home,” said an inconsolable Kumar.

Kongbrailatpam’s last phone call was to her elder sister, about an hour before takeoff. “She was excited about her flight to London,” her sister recalled, barely able to speak through the pain.

Air India officially confirmed the death toll in a post on their ‘X’ handle shortly past midnight on Friday, stating that all 241 passengers and crew — including 12 cabin crew members — had perished. The crash occurred around 1:38 PM Indian time on June 12, 2025, shortly after the aircraft took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The plane went down in a densely populated residential area near a medical college, sparking a massive fire and causing additional casualties on the ground. Of the 242 people on board, only one — a British national, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh — survived.

Lamnunthem Singson, the second air hostess from Manipur, was remembered for her quiet grace and commitment to service. Originally from Old Lambulane, Singson had been living in Kangpokpi as an internally displaced person (IDP) following the violent conflict in Manipur in May 2023. She joined Air India in 2024, pursuing her passion even amid adversity.

Manipur — a land that has endured deep wounds from conflict — now mourns together, united in grief with the rest of the nation over this immense tragedy. Both women were known not only for their professionalism but also for the warmth and kindness that endeared them to passengers and colleagues alike.

Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh expressed his condolences: “It is heartbreaking to share that two young cabin crew members from Manipur, Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma and Lamnunthem Singson, were among those who lost their lives in today’s Air India crash in Ahmedabad.”

Social media tributes from across Manipur echoed his grief, mourning the loss of “two young lives, full of dreams and grace, taken too soon in the skies they loved.”

Air India has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each victim. Boeing, the aircraft’s manufacturer, has pledged full support for the investigation, which is currently underway. One black box has been reportedly recovered, although authorities are yet to confirm full details. Early reports suggest a catastrophic dual engine failure just 13 seconds after takeoff may have led to the crash.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the crash site and met with the lone survivor. He assured the nation of a comprehensive investigation to uncover how such a tragedy could occur, as aviation experts continue to examine the wreckage and flight data for answers.