Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Eight Days On, Family Grieves as Grandmother and Granddaughter’s Bodies Are Found in Hostel Mess

Eight days after the devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad, the city is still reeling from the tragedy that claimed dozens of lives and left many families searching desperately for their loved ones. Among the most heart-wrenching stories to emerge is that of 53-year-old Sarla Ben and her two-year-old granddaughter, Adya, whose bodies were finally identified and returned to their grieving family after more than a week of uncertainty.

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A Routine Day Shattered

On the day of the disaster, Sarla Ben was in the hostel mess, preparing lunch for the medical students as she had done for years. Known for her warm smile and caring nature, she had become a beloved figure among the MBBS students she fed daily. Her granddaughter Adya, just a toddler, was with her that afternoon—her parents, Sarla Ben’s son and daughter-in-law, had left her in their grandmother’s care while they went out to deliver tiffins, as was their usual routine.

No one could have imagined that an ordinary day would turn so tragic. When the plane crashed, it struck the hostel building, causing chaos and devastation. In the aftermath, Sarla Ben and Adya went missing, and their family’s life was thrown into turmoil.

Days of Agony and Uncertainty

For eight agonizing days, the family searched every hospital in Ahmedabad, clinging to hope that Sarla Ben and Adya might have survived or been rescued. “We looked everywhere,” recalled Bharat Bhai, Sarla Ben’s brother. “Every hospital, every morgue—we just wanted some news, any news. We even reached out to the media to help us find them.”

The family’s pain was compounded by the uncertainty. With so many victims and chaos at the crash site, identification was difficult. The family provided DNA samples, hoping for a match that would finally give them answers.

The Confirmation and Grief

Late one evening, the call finally came from the hospital: the DNA test had matched. The bodies found in the rubble of the hostel mess belonged to Sarla Ben and her little granddaughter. The news, while heartbreaking, at least ended the family’s agonizing wait.

“We couldn’t believe it,” said Bharat Bhai, his voice breaking. “We had hoped, somehow, that they might still be alive. But now we have to accept that they are gone.”

A Life of Service

Sarla Ben’s story is one of quiet dedication. After her marriage, she moved to Ahmedabad and began working in the civil hospital mess, cooking for the medical students. Her food and kindness became a source of comfort for countless young doctors far from home. When the new MBBS hostel opened, she continued her work there, becoming a fixture in the daily lives of the students.

“She was like a mother to us,” said one student, wiping away tears. “She always made sure we ate well, even if she had to go without.”

A Narrow Escape

On the day of the crash, fate spared the rest of Sarla Ben’s family by a matter of minutes. Her son, daughter-in-law, and their young son had left the hostel to deliver tiffins. Had they stayed just a little longer, the entire family might have perished together. “God saved us,” said Bharat Bhai. “But we lost our sister and our little Adya. The pain is unbearable.”

The family’s young boy, Adya’s brother, was also at the hostel but had gone downstairs just before the crash. He escaped with his life, a small miracle in a day filled with tragedy.

The Aftermath

The hostel campus, once filled with the laughter and bustle of students, now bears the scars of disaster. Many families, like Sarla Ben’s, still wait outside, hoping for news of missing loved ones. The authorities are working around the clock to identify remains and bring closure to the bereaved.

“This tragedy has left wounds that will never heal,” said a local official. “But we are doing everything we can to support the families and honor the memory of those we lost.”

Final Goodbye

With the DNA match confirmed, Sarla Ben’s family prepared to take her and Adya’s bodies home for their final rites. The atmosphere was heavy with grief, but also with the relief of finally being able to say goodbye.

“She was our pillar,” Bharat Bhai said softly. “Now she is gone, but her memory will live on in every student she cared for, and in our hearts forever.”

A Community in Mourning

The Ahmedabad plane crash has left a deep wound in the city’s heart. For the families who lost loved ones, the pain is raw and the loss irreplaceable. For the students and staff who knew Sarla Ben, her absence is a daily reminder of the tragedy.

As the city comes to terms with its grief, stories like Sarla Ben’s serve as a poignant reminder of the ordinary lives forever changed by extraordinary disaster. The hope is that, in time, the community will heal, and the memories of those lost will inspire acts of kindness and service in their honor.

Reporting from Ahmedabad:
With inputs from Pawan Tiwari and Ravish Ranjan Shukla, NDTV India

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