On Thursday, tragedy struck in Ahmedabad as an Air India Dreamliner 787-8 crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 241 people onboard and nearly 30 on the ground. Amid the chaos, 17-year-old Aryan Asari captured the incident on video, an act that has turned this aviation enthusiast into an unexpected focal point in one of India's worst aviation disasters.
Living nearby, Aryan had always been fascinated by aircraft, often rushing out to catch a glimpse whenever he heard a plane. On that fateful day, while recording videos from a family terrace, he spotted the ill-fated aircraft wobbling mid-air before it plummeted down, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
“I saw the plane. It was going down and down," Aryan later recounted to BBC Gujarati. "Then it wobbled and crashed right before my eyes." His haunting footage has now become a critical piece of evidence for investigators seeking to determine the cause of the crash.
The shock of witnessing such horror has had a "devastating impact" on Aryan, who has become withdrawn, even avoiding his smartphone due to panic at the sound of notifications. His father, Maganbhai Asari, elaborated on their distress, noting that the barrage of media attention has further complicated Aryan's emotional recovery.
Just hours prior to the crash, Aryan had arrived in Ahmedabad for the first time with his sister, ready to explore the city and enjoy new experiences. What began as an exciting change turned into a traumatic nightmare, as he now thinks twice about his former aviation passion.
After sending the crash video to his father, Aryan's panic was evident. “I saw it crash. What will happen to me?” he exclaimed in a frightful call. The family's life was thrown into turmoil as they were besieged by reporters and local authorities seeking his account.
In the days following the disaster, Aryan was questioned at the police station but was not detained, as speculated by some reports. His father ultimately decided to send him back to their village in hopes of finding solace and healing in the familiar environment.
Back at home, Aryan tries to return to school life but remains unsettled, often gripped by fear whenever his phone rings. “I know he will be fine with time," Mr. Asari expressed, doubt clouding his hope as he fears his son may never again find joy in the sky. As they navigate this period of trauma together, the memories of that day linger on, encapsulating both tragedy and the fragility of life.
