The Air India flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, crashed minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon, leaving a trail of devastation. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, plummeted into a residential area in Meghaninagar, striking the doctors' hostel at BJ Medical College Civil Hospital.
Images emerging from the crash site paint a grim picture of the disaster. The tail of the aircraft was seen lodged into the top floor of the hostel, a stark indication of the force of the impact. Inside, debris from the fuselage was embedded in the walls, while dislodged rear wheels of the plane were found smashed into the building's exterior. The crash also triggered a fire, further compounding the damage.
One of the most poignant images to surface is from inside the hostel canteen. Food plates lay scattered on the tables, meals unfinished, a chilling reminder that the crash occurred during lunchtime. The "Royal Mess" food hall, as it was known, was serving meals when the aircraft struck. A gaping hole in the wall revealed the horrifying intrusion of the plane's wreckage into what was once a bustling dining space.
The crash site was a scene of chaos and frantic activity. Firefighters battled to extinguish the flames that engulfed parts of the hostel, while rescue teams worked to extract survivors and recover bodies from the wreckage. A large crowd gathered outside, watching in disbelief as the scale of the tragedy unfolded.
The impact on the BJ Medical College community is profound. The Atulyam Hostel, which houses Doctorate of Medicine (DM) and Master of Chirurgiae (MCh) students, those pursuing degrees in surgery, bore the brunt of the crash. Reports indicate that approximately 50-60 medical students were present during lunchtime, raising concerns about the number of casualties among the future lifesavers.
The Federation of All India Medical Association has expressed deep shock and is closely monitoring the situation, ready to provide necessary assistance. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the medical community, mourning the loss of lives and the disruption of medical education.
According to Air India, the flight had 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, 1 Canadian, and 7 Portuguese on board. Vishwaskumar Ramesh, a British national seated in 11A, miraculously survived the crash. He reported a loud noise thirty seconds after takeoff, followed by the sudden crash.
The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Preliminary reports suggest a "Mayday" call was issued, indicating possible engine failure, bird strike, or mechanical error. The aircraft lost signal at 625 feet altitude, less than a minute after takeoff.
This incident marks a grim chapter in Indian aviation history, with the Ahmedabad crash being the first fatal Boeing 787 crash worldwide. The tragedy has raised concerns about aviation safety and the proximity of residential areas to airports.
In the wake of the disaster, Tata Sons’ Chairman N Chandrasekaran assured support for the affected families. Financial aid and resources are being mobilized to assist those impacted by this devastating event. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the crash site.
