Ahmedabad: In one of the worst air disasters in India’s recent history, an Air India Dreamliner flight bound for London Gatwick crashed less than a minute after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon, claiming the lives of at least 265 people, including passengers and people on the ground.
Flight AI-171, carrying 242 people on board, plunged into a densely populated area shortly after takeoff and collided with a hostel building of BJ Medical College, triggering a massive blaze and widespread destruction. Miraculously, only one person aboard the aircraft survived the horrific crash.
The impact was devastating. Around 25 medical students and hostel staff are feared to have died, while several others have sustained critical injuries and are currently being treated at nearby hospitals. The crash occurred during lunch hour, when many students were gathered in the canteen area of the hostel, exacerbating the scale of the tragedy.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and disbelief. “There was a loud explosion, and within seconds, flames engulfed the building,” said a local resident. Visuals from the scene show wreckage of the aircraft embedded in the shattered hostel structure, with debris strewn across a wide radius.
Officials at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad confirmed that at least 265 bodies have been brought in so far. Many are charred beyond recognition, and authorities have said that DNA testing will be required to identify most of the victims.
Emergency services, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire brigades, and local police, launched a massive rescue operation, battling flames and navigating through debris to recover bodies and aid the injured.
Senior police officers and aviation authorities are on the scene, and a detailed investigation has been launched into the cause of the crash. Initial reports suggest the aircraft may have suffered a critical technical failure shortly after takeoff, but officials have yet to confirm any specifics.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed their condolences, terming the crash a national tragedy. “My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. The Centre is coordinating with state agencies to ensure all necessary support,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India have promised a full investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, the only survivor—reportedly in critical condition—is being closely monitored by a team of specialists.
