A missed flight turned into a narrow escape for Ambika Sreedharan, who now lives with the painful reality that she could have been among those killed in the Bengaluru wall collapse.
Missed flight, life saved
Ambika was supposed to travel with her colleagues to Bengaluru on what was their first-ever flight together. However, she stayed back at the last minute to care for her young grandson.
“I was upset about missing the flight, but if I had gone, I might not have survived,” she said, reflecting on the tragedy.
Tragedy during trip
Her colleagues had travelled to the city and were shopping when sudden rains forced them to take shelter near Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital. Within moments, the compound wall collapsed, killing two of her close friends and injuring others.
Bond beyond work
The group of women had worked together for nearly two decades at a Nutrimix unit, sharing a close bond that extended beyond their workplace. Families described them as inseparable.
Survivors recall terrifying moments
One of the injured women later recounted how the wall suddenly gave way, trapping them under debris. While some survived with serious injuries, others did not.
Grief and unanswered questions
Back home, the community is mourning the loss. Ambika, who narrowly escaped the tragedy, is left grappling with a haunting thought—she could have been there.
She now plans to travel to Bengaluru, not for the joyful trip she once looked forward to, but to be by the side of her injured friends.
A reminder of life’s fragility
The incident has left behind a deep emotional scar, highlighting how quickly plans can change and how close one can come to tragedy.
For Ambika, relief and grief now exist side by side—marked by a single, life-altering decision to miss that flight