Udaipur siblings Shubh and Shagun Modi, en route to a London vacation, were among the victims of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad. The crash killed 240+ people, raising questions about air safety. Investigation is ongoing with focus on a ‘Mayday’ call and black box data.
A heart-wrenching tragedy has struck a prominent Udaipur family as siblings Shubh Modi and Shagun Modi were among the victims of the catastrophic Air India plane crash that occurred in Ahmedabad on Thursday. The two, children of marble businessman Sanjeev Modi, were traveling to London for a vacation when the ill-fated aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff, killing almost everyone onboard.
The brother-sister duo had long planned this trip to the United Kingdom, which has now ended in unimaginable sorrow. Shubh Modi, a young chemical engineer, had completed his B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from the UK, while his sister, Shagun Modi, had recently earned her BA-BBA from PDEU (Pandit Deendayal Energy University), Gandhinagar. According to family members, the siblings were looking forward to a much-needed holiday together.
Satish Bhandari, a relative of the family, shared his grief while speaking to IANS. “It is a devastating and heartbreaking incident. The siblings had planned to tour London for a vacation. Who knew this would be their last journey?” he said.
Describing how the family learned of the tragedy, Bhandari added, “They (Shubh and Shagun) were in Ahmedabad. Their grandmother called me after she saw the news on television. We are still in shock. No words can describe the pain.”
The crash of the Air India flight has triggered nationwide mourning and international concern. With 241 passengers and crew members onboard, the aircraft went down shortly after takeoff, crashing into a residential building and exploding into flames. There are also fears that several people on the ground may have died due to the impact and subsequent fire. Authorities have confirmed that, apart from one miraculous survivor, all others onboard have perished.
According to initial reports, the aircraft’s pilots had issued a ‘Mayday’ distress call within minutes of departure, indicating a life-threatening emergency. However, the pilots did not respond to further communications from the Airport Traffic Control (ATC), adding to the urgency and mystery of the incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is originally from Gujarat, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and reached the crash site along with Home Minister Amit Shah, Civil Aviation Minister, and other top officials. The government has ordered a high-level investigation into the incident, and recovery teams are currently working to retrieve the aircraft’s black box.
The black box, which records cockpit conversations and flight data, is expected to provide crucial insights into the final moments of the flight — including the cause of the technical failure (if any), the nature of the ‘Mayday’ call, and the crew’s response in those critical seconds before the crash.
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The tragedy has sparked a wider debate on the safety of air travel, especially considering that flying is statistically one of the safest modes of transportation. The crash has not only claimed the lives of passengers but also devastated families, shattered communities, and shaken public confidence in aviation safety.
Back in Udaipur, the Modi family and the larger business community are in mourning. The siblings were known for their academic achievements and vibrant personalities. Their untimely death has left a void that words cannot fill.
As the nation mourns this irreparable loss, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the unpredictability of life and the importance of stringent safety protocols in aviation.
