Air India Crash Tragedy Exploited By Online Influencers
Grieving Families Confront Online Misinformation
In the aftermath of the devastating Air India crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 270 lives on a recent Thursday, families across India are struggling to cope. Amidst this grief, one victim's family has bravely spoken out against the exploitation of the tragedy on social media for views and likes, as reported by India Today.
Kuldeep Bhatt, who lost his cousin Komi Vyas, her husband Prateek Joshi, and their three children in the crash, has strongly criticized influencers and content creators. He accuses them of disseminating false information, utilizing edited and AI-generated photos, and circulating fake videos of the victims and their grieving families.
Bhatt stated, "The biggest problem is that our family, as well as the families of 270 others, are going through mental trauma. And social media influencers, in an attempt to increase their views, likes, and followers, are misusing crash videos, posting doctored visuals."
AI Fakes and Doctored Content Amplify Suffering
Bhatt shared a distressing example of how a private family moment was manipulated into viral content. "When Komi and others were boarding the flight, they took a selfie and posted it in our family group. Now that photo has gone viral. People have been generating videos from that photo. One such video has gone viral throughout India. It’s AI-generated. The photo has been made into a fake video," he explained.
He further detailed the painful impact of misleading content concerning the couple’s daughter, Miraya. "Since yesterday, a photo has been circulating on social media that is hurting us a lot. The girl is Miraya, such a lovely girl. Now we have no idea about the DNA sample. It has not matched. On social media, people are claiming her body is burnt. There are even videos circulating that her cremation is taking place."
Exploitation for Engagement Deepens Trauma
Adding to the family's anguish is the creation of fake social media accounts in Komi’s name. "Photos of Komi are being misused. Fake accounts have been made. I request all social media influencers to please stop. Why are you giving us so much mental trauma just to increase your likes and followers?" Bhatt pleaded.
The tragic incident involved Flight AI171, which crashed on Thursday afternoon, resulting in the deaths of 241 passengers onboard and several individuals on the ground. The aircraft impacted a hostel and canteen complex in the Meghaninagar area shortly after takeoff. Among the victims were Komi Vyas, her husband Prateek Joshi, their twin sons Pradyut and Nakul, and their daughter Miraya.
Plea for Sensitivity and Responsible Reporting
Bhatt emphasized that the family and authorities are willing to share verified information but implored content creators for basic human decency. "If you need any information, talk to the administration. You’re getting official updates from there. If you need some photos or videos, we will provide them for you. But for your entertainment, for your popularity, please don’t do this," he urged.
Highlighting a particularly distressing piece of misinformation, Bhatt stated, "One video being shared says it shows children’s bodies. But the symbols seen in the video are coffins of Hadap and Mohan Chaudhary, written in Chitra Akshar. It’s from some other incident. This is what we have to face—more mental trauma."
A Final Appeal Stop Profiting from Tragedy
Visibly shaken by the profound insensitivity, Bhatt questioned the ethics of those creating and sharing such content. "What the hell are people doing?" he exclaimed, calling on them to act responsibly and cease exploiting a national tragedy. "This is my request to you. Please stop all these things," he concluded.
