Two cabin crew from Manipur—a 22‑year‑old Meitei, Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam, and late‑twenties Kuki‑Zo, Lamnunthem Singson—were among those killed when Air India Flight AI‑171 crashed into a hostel block in Ahmedabad on 12 June. Nganthoi, based in Thoubal since October 2022, messaged her cousin before takeoff: “In a few minutes, we'll take off.” Lamnunthem’s family had relocated to Kangpokpi amid ethnic unrest in Imphal. Former CM N. Biren Singh expressed grief. Another crew member, Deepak Pathak, 11‑year veteran from Thane, spoke last to his mother. Meanwhile, rescue teams battled unstable structures to recover bodies. The crash claimed 241 lives on board, with one British‑Indian man surviving; dozens of ground casualties were also reported. (PC: PTI, The economic Times & Mint)

An Air India flight (AI 379) from Phuket to New Delhi made an emergency landing in Phuket on June 13 after receiving a bomb threat mid‑air, according to Phuket International Airport and Airports of Thailand officials. The Airbus A320‑series aircraft, with 156 passengers onboard, departed at 09:30 AM local time, circled around the Andaman Sea, then returned safely. Upon landing, emergency procedures were activated, and all passengers were evacuated and escorted off the plane. Authorities haven’t disclosed details of the threat. The aircraft underwent a thorough security inspection. No injuries have been reported and no explosive device has been found. (PC: My Holidays & India Today)

Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew, crashed on June 12, 2025, just 30 seconds after departing Ahmedabad for London, killing 241 onboard and at least 28 on the ground. The aircraft failed to gain altitude—recorded around 625 ft—issued a Mayday, then descended into a BJ Medical College hostel, igniting massive fire and debris. Only one British‑Indian passenger survived. Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal (8,200 hrs) and FO Clive Kundar (1,100 hrs) died despite Sabharwal’s promise to retire and care for his elderly father. Probes by India’s AAIB, NTSB and UK’s AAIB are underway. Boeing and GE Aerospace have pledged full cooperation. (PC: The Quint & Free Press Journal)

Air India Flight AIC129, scheduled Mumbai–London, took off early on June 13, 2025, but made a mid‑air U‑turn and returned to Mumbai after about three hours in the air, according to Flightradar24. Officials haven’t confirmed why it returned. However, heightened Middle East tensions, particularly an Israeli strike on Iranian sites and Iran’s subsequent airspace closure, are likely factors . This incident followed the tragic crash of Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad on June 12, which claimed 241 lives with only one survivor. Air India reported that several flights have been diverted or returned due to airspace restrictions, and is offering passengers rescheduling or refunds. (PC: Mint & Republic World)

On June 13, 2025, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a major preemptive air campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure, including the Natanz enrichment plant, Revolutionary Guards HQ, missile factories, and Tehran neighborhoods. Iranian state media confirms the deaths of IRGC commander General Hossein Salami, Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, and nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi‑Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, alongside civilian casualties. Explosions rocked Tehran early Friday; airspaces in Iran and Israel were shut amid national emergencies. Israeli officials warn of imminent Iranian missile or drone retaliation. The U.S., not directly involved, urged Iran not to strike American interests. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei vows “severe punishment,” signaling a potential regional escalation.

An Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train traveling from Nizamuddin to Ghaziabad derailed near Shivaji Bridge railway station in Delhi on June 12, 2025. The incident occurred when one coach of the train went off the tracks around 9:47 AM. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the passengers. Railway officials and emergency teams quickly reached the site, and restoration work began immediately. Train movement in the area was temporarily affected, but authorities have assured that services will resume soon. An inquiry has been initiated to determine the cause of the derailment.

An Air India Boeing aircraft, operating flight AI 129 from Mumbai to London, returned to Mumbai after nearly three hours in the air on June 13. Flight tracking service Flightradar24 confirmed the mid-air reversal shortly after departure at 5:39 AM IST . Air India attributed the decision to the closure of Iranian airspace, following rising regional tensions related to “Operation Rising Lion.” Several other flights—including AI 130, AI 119, and AI 102—were either diverted or returned to their origin amid safety precautions. Airlines and aviation authorities are monitoring the situation closely as investigations continue. (PC: NDTV)

Ahmedabad Police revealed difficulty identifying victims of the June 12 Air India Boeing 787‑8 crash due to severe burns and aircraft fragmentation . With bodies charred beyond recognition, authorities have initiated DNA testing to confirm identities, prioritizing accuracy over early fatality estimates . The AI 171 flight, carrying 242 onboard, struck the BJ Medical College hostel, killing 241 passengers and at least 28 civilians . Only one survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, escaped despite horrific conditions. Rescue and DNA efforts continue under a joint investigation by India, the US, and the UK. (PC: PTI)

In a bold preemptive strike dubbed Operation Rising Lion, Israel targeted key Iranian military and nuclear sites early June 13, resulting in the confirmed death of Major General Hossein Salami, head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iranian state media and AFP reported that Salami was killed along with senior commanders and nuclear scientists. Explosions rocked Tehran and Natanz, with Iran’s leadership vowing retaliation. The strikes mark a major escalation in regional tensions. Airspaces were shut, oil prices surged, and world leaders expressed concern over potential spillover into a broader Middle East conflict. (PC: Reuters)

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 39-year-old British-Indian and the sole survivor of the tragic Air India Flight AI171 crash, recounted his miraculous escape. Seated in 11A, an emergency exit row, he said, “I don’t know how I’m alive,” after the plane crashed into a medical students’ hostel near Ahmedabad. He reportedly jumped or was thrown from the aircraft before it exploded. While he survived with serious injuries, his brother Ajay remains missing. The crash claimed 241 onboard lives and killed several on the ground. An international investigation into the cause is underway. (PC: PTI)