“Ganpati Bappa Saved Me”: Woman Who Missed Doomed Air India Flight by 10 Minutes Recounts Close Call

June 12, 2025: In what she calls a miracle, Bhoomi Chauhan, a woman originally scheduled to fly on Air India Flight AI-171, narrowly escaped death after missing the doomed London-bound flight by just 10 minutes.

The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, resulting in a massive tragedy with fears of mass casualties. Chauhan was supposed to be among those onboard, but fate had a different plan.

Also read: Miraculous! Passenger on Seat 11A Survives Air India Crash, Says, “Bodies All Around Me”

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“My Ganpati Bappa Saved Me” — Bhoomi Chauhan

Speaking to Republic TV, an emotionally overwhelmed Bhoomi Chauhan said she is still shivering after realizing how close she came to boarding the ill-fated flight.

“I am completely devastated after hearing about the loss of lives. My body is literally shivering. My mind is totally blank now,” she said.

Chauhan, who lives in London with her husband, had returned to India for a vacation after two years. She left the airport at around 1:30 pm, having missed the flight due to traffic delays. Just eight minutes later, Flight AI-171 took off at 1:38 pm, crashing moments later in a residential area near the airport.

“My Ganpati Bappa saved me. Just because of those ten minutes, I could not board the flight. I don’t know how to explain this,” she added, thanking divine intervention for her life being spared.

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A Catastrophic Crash Minutes Later

The London Gatwick-bound aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, had flown in from New Delhi earlier in the day. Shortly after takeoff, the plane ascended to just 625 feet, then plummeted into a residential zone, exploding into a fireball, as per Flightradar24 data.

Visuals showed thick plumes of smoke and burning wreckage amid collapsed buildings, with fire and rescue teams racing to the scene.

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One of the Worst Aviation Disasters in Years

Thursday’s crash marks one of the most severe air disasters involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the US manufacturer’s flagship widebody aircraft. The incident also marks Air India’s first major crash in over four decades and the first Dreamliner hull loss worldwide.

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Conclusion

As authorities continue rescue operations and investigations, stories of narrow escapes like that of Bhoomi Chauhan highlight the fragile line between life and death. Her emotional response and gratitude underscore the profound human impact of this tragic event, which continues to unfold with heartbreaking updates.

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