A pall of grief hangs heavy over the campus of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad following the horrific Air India plane crash that occurred shortly after takeoff on Thursday. Flight AI171, bound for London, crashed into the medical college hostel, leaving a scene of unimaginable devastation. Amidst the chaos of rescue operations and the somber task of identifying victims, a ground report paints a chilling picture of the lives abruptly interrupted.
Inside the hostel mess, a scene of suspended animation unfolds. Suitcases lay scattered, their contents spilling onto the floor, a testament to journeys never to be completed. Plates of food sit untouched on the tables, remnants of a midday meal interrupted by the disaster. Glasses are overturned, drinks spilled, and the air is thick with the smell of dust and smoke. The vibrant chatter and bustling activity that typically fill the mess hall have been replaced by an eerie silence, broken only by the sounds of emergency workers.
The impact of the crash has left a gaping hole in the side of the hostel building. Parts of the aircraft are embedded within the structure, a stark reminder of the force of the impact. The walls are cracked and crumbling, and debris is strewn everywhere. The "Royal Mess" food hall and the Atulyam Hostel, which houses Doctorate of Medicine and Master of Chirurgiae students, bore the brunt of the impact.
Eyewitness accounts describe the plane flying "very low" before crashing into the residential quarters of the doctors. The aircraft reportedly lost altitude soon after takeoff, hitting buildings inside the residential complex. Some eyewitnesses reported that cars and other vehicles parked in the compound also caught fire.
The crash occurred around lunchtime, when many students were in the mess hall. Medical students were having lunch when the aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed into the hostel shortly after taking off at 1:38 PM. Five medical students, including four undergraduates and one postgraduate resident, tragically lost their lives in the disaster. Many others suffered injuries.
The Air India flight, carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers, 10 crew members, and 2 pilots, departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 PM. The aircraft failed to achieve lift at a low altitude of 825 feet. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft issued a mayday call seconds after takeoff but lost contact with Air Traffic Control shortly thereafter, crashing just outside the airport perimeter.
The crash has sent shockwaves through the medical community and the city of Ahmedabad. Authorities are working tirelessly to clear the area and provide assistance to the injured. DNA testing is being arranged to identify the charred remains of the victims.
As the investigation into the cause of the crash begins, the focus remains on supporting the families of the victims and the injured. The images of the untouched food and scattered belongings serve as a poignant reminder of the precious lives lost and the futures that have been cut short. The hostel, once a place of learning and camaraderie, is now a scene of devastation, a stark symbol of the tragedy that has befallen Ahmedabad.
