At least 20 students are feared dead in the incident, although this has not been officially confirmed yet after an Air India B-787 Dreamliner aircraft operating as flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick Airport in London crashed into B.J. Medical College and Civil hospital is located in the residential area of Meghani Nagar in Ahmedabad, Gujarat just five minutes after takeoff. There is a canteen above the hostel where medical students usually gather for lunch in the afternoon.
Images of the crash show the rear section of the Air India aircraft hanging from the hostel building, while the front portion is completely burnt, emitting thick black smoke. Three NDRF teams are currently conducting rescue operations at the site, with two more teams from Vadodara dispatched to Ahmedabad. A green corridor has been created up to the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, where the injured are being treated to nearby hospitals.
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The Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad and the Commissioner of Police are present at the scene. Three fire brigade teams are also deployed. Roads in the area have been closed following the crash.
A crash video went viral on the social media platform X suggest that the plane hit a tree shortly after takeoff, followed by a massive explosion that engulfed the aircraft in flames. The entire plane has been destroyed, and smoke can be seen billowing across the area.
Hospitals in Ahmedabad on High Alert
All hospitals in and around Ahmedabad in Gujarat have been put on high alert, and emergency services have been activated. Five large ambulances were sent to the scene to transport the injured.
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An Air India spokesperson said, “Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick has been involved in an accident. We are gathering more information.” The crash occurred shortly after takeoff from runway 23 at 1:39 PM IST from Ahmedabad Airport. The pilot issued a MAYDAY call to Air Traffic Control immediately after takeoff, but contact with the aircraft was lost soon after.
There were 242 people on board, including two pilots, 10 crew members, and 230 passengers. No official information has yet been released regarding their condition.