Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 12 (ANI): Scenes of devastation unfolded inside a doctors’ hostel in Ahmedabad’s Meghaninagar area after an Air India flight carrying 242 people crashed into the building shortly after takeoff. Shattered walls, overturned tables, and half-eaten meals left on plates bore witness to the abrupt and violent nature of the disaster.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, took off at 1:38 PM IST from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Moments later, the aircraft crashed into the doctors’ hostel building located just beyond the airport’s perimeter.
“The plane crashed into a building, which is a doctors’ hostel, shortly after takeoff,” said Jaipal Singh Rathore, Joint Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad, during a press briefing.
Visuals from the hostel’s mess area showed the heartbreaking aftermath: food left untouched on plates, chairs toppled over, and structural damage to the facility. Heavy black smoke was seen rising from the site following the impact.
Air India issued a statement confirming the accident and sharing passenger details: “Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick was involved in an accident today after takeoff. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft was carrying 242 people, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese citizens.”
The flight was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, supported by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the plane made a mayday call but then ceased responding to subsequent communication attempts. The crash occurred almost immediately after the aircraft departed from Runway 23.
Rescue efforts are being led by the Gujarat government and supported by central agencies. Three teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), totaling 90 personnel, have been deployed to the crash site. Police and emergency responders have also joined the operation.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik confirmed that one passenger survived the crash and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. “It is too early to confirm the death toll, but it may rise, as the plane crashed into a residential area,” he said.
In the wake of the tragedy, Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran announced a compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of each deceased individual. “We will also cover the medical expenses of those injured and provide support for the reconstruction of the BJ Medical Hostel,” he said in a statement on X.
Among those killed was former Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP leader Vijay Rupani. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh mourned his passing, calling Rupani a “grassroots leader who devoted his life for the development and welfare of his state.”
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu assured the public of a thorough investigation. “We are going to carry out a fair and complete probe. We still have to determine the exact number of casualties and the reason behind this tragic incident,” he told reporters.
As rescue operations continue and grieving families await confirmation and identification, the nation remains in shock over one of the deadliest aviation tragedies in recent memory. (ANI)
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