The Unseen Aftermath: PTSD and Mental Trauma Following the Air India AI171 Crash

Life’s biggest tragedy is not having its impact on the victim, but on the people close to the victim, the families who lost their family members, their children, parents, and loved ones. With a heavy heart and an uncontrollable sigh, one more accident took place. On June 12, 2025, Air India flight AI171 – a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Seconds into its flight, the pilots transmitted a mayday (“Thrust not achieved. Falling. Mayday”) before the jet plummeted into a residential area near the airport. The fuselage collided with the hostel of BJ Medical College and went ablaze, throwing particles all over the campus. Debris from the crash (below) was visible in the wreckage of the college buildings, fireball engulfing the site. Debris and wreckage of Air India Flight AI171 at the crash site near Ahmedabad airport. 

According to the reports of the investigators, the fully loaded aircraft with about 242 people on it (both passengers and the crew) had ascended to approximately 600 to 650 feet and then plunged. According to authorities, 241 people aboard were killed; one passenger, a 40-year-old British man, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, on seat 11A, miraculously survived after apparently exiting the wreckage. At least 38–39 people on the ground (primarily medical students and staff in the hostel) were also found dead when the jet impacted the building. In total, roughly 279–282 victims have been identified (including both onboard and ground fatalities), making it one of India’s worst air disasters. A handful of people on the ground were injured; most have since been discharged, with only a few remaining in critical care. 

PTSD and Psychological Impact on Survivors and Others 

Incidents such as the Ahmedabad plane crash have a shocking impact on those directly affected, not only the survivors but also family members of the deceased, witnesses, rescues, and even the general population. It is worth mentioning that the post-traumatic effects, such as paralysing fear, the terrorising images and gripping emotional distress experienced during and after these events, often have long-term mental implications, changing lives permanently. The world is never the same again to many, and the trauma does not end when the headlines die down. 

Survivors’ trauma:

Long-term PTSD is common after such crashes. For example, Flight 113’s lone survivor, Ashok Agarwal, lost his wife and daughter and “carried the trauma for life,” eventually dying in 2020 after years of memory loss. International studies find very high PTSD rates in crash survivors: one longitudinal study reported ~46–47% of aeroplane-crash survivors screened positive for PTSD at 2-9 months post‑crash. Such findings underline the risk of chronic stress among survivors of Ahmedabad’s crashes. 

Ahmedabad 2025 Survivor:

The sole 2025 survivor, passenger Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, vividly recalled seeing bodies “all around me” after the crash. His account, “I was scared… I stood up and ran”, reflects acute stress. Mental health experts note that anyone who witnessed the carnage (even indirectly) is at risk of PTSD, anxiety or depression. A 17-year-old witness, Aryan Asari, said he is “still to overcome the psychological trauma” of filming the crash on his phone. By-standers and medical students who were present at the scene of those horrors, the people as well, are bound to express intense shock and stress. 

First responders and rescuers:

Doctors, nurses, firefighters and police who responded to save others have been traumatised too. Trainee doctors who escaped the blaze immediately began treating burn victims, a heroic response that exposed them to the disaster’s aftermath. Experts warn that first responders often suffer vicarious trauma and long-term PTSD. For instance, studies of 9/11 rescue workers showed that a decade later, ~7% had probable PTSD and ~17% major depression. Dr. Harish Shetty (Mumbai psychiatrist) urges that responders take breaks and be debriefed regularly: “Intrusive memories of the crash site or victims are common. Ignoring them is dangerous,” he said. (India Today reported that responders should not feel “superhuman,” and should rest and receive counselling every few days.) 

Family and Public anxiety:

The crash has inflicted deep grief and fear on the victims’ families and the public. Over 1,000 relatives have been awaiting DNA identification of loved ones. Gujarat’s government has deployed grief counsellors in hospitals and mortuaries to help families cope. Even uninjured people may develop lasting phobias: psychiatrists note many Amdavadis have become jittery flyers, refusing air travel for now. Families enter an “emotional shock” phase – stunned, numb and in denial. Mental‑health experts predict that many exposed will experience heightened fear, avoidance behaviours or even acute stress and PTSD without support.

Conclusion 

Incidents like these leave a lasting mark on us. It is unimaginable what the victims’ families and loved ones must be going through, waiting at the doorstep for someone who will never return. It must be duly noted that life is unpredictable, and our lives are not always in our control. A remote technical issue in a plane, and hundreds lose their lives in an instant. PTSD is not only a disorder, but it is the aftermath of the traumatic event that follows our lives even after it has ended. The thing is that the survivors, the families of the victims, and their close ones are noticing the profound implications that these traumatic events have on mental health, which is of paramount significance. 

Numerous people who have experienced a tragedy of the same nature as that caused by the fire in the past have gone through life scarred with imprints so deep in their minds that they have had long-term cognitive and emotional pain, and even death. As an example, Abhishek Anand, a victim of the 2020 Kozhikode Air India Express crash that cost him two daughters and his wife, suffers from serious PTSD and has been admitted to the hospital several times in connection with depression and anxiety disorders.

The Indian Express followed up on his case in an article urging trauma counselling to aviation accident survivors, since they can always be traumatised by it. Many who have experienced such devastating losses carry life-jolting imprints in their mind, which often result in long-term cognitive disorders, emotional detachment, and even eventual physical decline. When outcomes of this effect are identified and assistance of mental health professionals sought in time, it is healing; it is a matter of life or death. 

FAQs 

1. Can you ever fully heal from PTSD? 

While full, complete healing from PTSD isn’t guaranteed for everyone, significant recovery and symptom reduction are possible with treatment and support. About 30% of people recover fully, while many others experience a substantial decrease in symptoms. It’s important to understand that recovery is often a process, not a destination, and setbacks can be part of that journey. 

2. What are the guidelines for PTSD? 

Guidelines for PTSD focus on evidence-based treatments like trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These treatments help individuals process traumatic memories, manage symptoms, and improve overall functioning. Additionally, guidelines emphasise the importance of a supportive environment, healthy coping mechanisms, and seeking professional help when needed. 

3. How does a person with PTSD feel? 

A person with PTSD experiences a range of intense and distressing emotions and physical sensations, often triggered by reminders of the traumatic event. These can include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. They may also experience negative changes in mood and thinking, such as feeling detached, numb, or having difficulty experiencing positive emotions. Additionally, they might exhibit changes in arousal and reactivity, like being easily startled, having trouble sleeping, or experiencing irritability and angry outbursts.