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Air India crash: London-bound flight crashed into doctors hostel, several students and medical staff among casualties

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An Air India flight bound for London crashed into a medical college hostel in Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff on Thursday afternoon, killing and injuring several people both on board and on the ground. The flight, AI-171, slammed into the hostel mess building of BJ Medical College, where dozens of medical students were reportedly having lunch.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner had taken off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at about 1:38pm local time with 242 people onboard, including 169 Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. Contact with the aircraft was lost less than a minute after takeoff.

Medical Students Caught in the Impact

The crash has had a devastating effect on the medical students and doctors’ hostel, with eyewitnesses confirming that a huge part of the aircraft struck the dining facility directly.

“I was having lunch when the plane crashed into the building next to mine,” said Harshit, a medical student at BJ Medical College. 

“My friend was inside and is now in the hospital. That building was where many of our resident doctors lived.”

Outside a hospital in Ahmedabad, Ramilaben, the mother of one of the students, shared her harrowing experience:

“My son had gone to the hostel during lunch break, and the plane crashed there. My son is safe, and I have spoken to him. He jumped from the second floor, so he suffered some injuries,” she told ANI.

Widespread Casualties Feared

The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) released visuals of the crash site showing large portions of the aircraft lodged in the hostel building. Dr Akshay Dongardhive of FAIMA estimated that 20–30 students may have been injured, though official casualty figures are yet to be confirmed.

Local reports suggest that some doctors may also be among the victims. Rescue operations are underway with emergency crews continuing to search through the debris.

Emergency Response and Flight Details

Air India has established an emergency response centre and activated a family assistance team. The airline called the crash a “tragic accident.”

Ahmedabad airport authorities have suspended all operations until further notice. The Chief Minister of Gujarat has ordered emergency services to operate on a “war footing.”

Some details we can share:

  • Flight: Air India AI-171
  • Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
  • Takeoff: About 1:38pm IST from Ahmedabad
  • Destination: London Gatwick
  • Crash Site: BJ Medical College Hostel, Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad
  • Passengers/Crew: 242 onboard
  • Nationalities: 169 Indians, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, 1 Canadian

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

Crime

UAE Central Bank fines local bank Dh3 million over anti-money laundering failures

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The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has imposed a financial penalty of Dh3 million on a local bank for failing to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.

The fine was issued under Article 14 of Federal Decree Law No. (20) of 2018 on Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism and Illegal Organisations, as well as Article 137 of the Decretal Federal Law No. (14) of 2018 concerning the Central Bank and regulation of financial institutions.

The CBUAE said the penalty followed an investigation which found that the bank had not met regulatory requirements outlined in UAE legislation to combat financial crime.

In a statement, the Central Bank reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the transparency and integrity of the country’s financial system. “We continue to supervise and regulate all licensed financial institutions to ensure full compliance with UAE laws, regulations, and standards,” the authority said.

The name of the bank was not disclosed.

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Dubai’s RTA steps up inspections of buses to ensure safety

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Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has urged transport operators to strictly follow regulations covering all modes of passenger transport, including chartered buses, tourist services, and international bus trips.

This comes after RTA completed over 15,500 inspections targeting operators in these sectors, as part of ongoing efforts to raise service standards and ensure safety.

“The inspections weren’t just about issuing violations,” said Saeed Al Balooshi, Director of Passenger Transport Activities Monitoring at RTA. “They’re designed to improve service quality and ensure operators meet the rules that keep Dubai’s transport sector running smoothly.”

Checks included verifying safety measures onboard and ensuring all required licences were in place. The RTA also teamed up with other authorities, including Dubai Police and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs at Hatta Border Post, to tackle misuse and irregularities in cross-border transport services.

Al Balooshi added that the authority is using new technologies to make inspections more effective by analysing violations and measuring the impact of enforcement campaigns. “Our goal is to ensure a reliable and high-quality experience for residents, visitors, and tourists, and to protect the reputation of Dubai’s public transport sector,” he said.

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New paid parking zones announced in Abu Dhabi

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Residents and motorists in Abu Dhabi should take note: new Mawaqif paid parking zones have been activated in several areas across the city, Q Mobility announced on Thursday, July 10.

The newly introduced paid zones include:

  • Eastern Mangroves
  • Dolphin Park
  • Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street sectors – specifically at Al Khaleej Al Arabi Park 1, 2, 4, and 5
  • Al Qurm Plaza

The rollout of the Mawaqif system in these areas is now officially in effect, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s parking regulations.

  • Standard Parking – black and blue curbs:
    • Dh2 an hour
    • Dh15 for 24-hour parking
  • Premium Parking Abu Dhabi – white and blue curbs: AED 3 an hour

According to Q Mobility, this move is part of ongoing efforts to better regulate vehicle movement, ease congestion, and improve the overall efficiency of public parking across the emirate. The changes follow the completion of infrastructure upgrades such as curb painting, installation of directional and awareness signage, and public notifications.

The company has also encouraged drivers to make use of the Darb app for digital payment and to carefully follow posted instructions to avoid fines.

The expansion of Mawaqif is part of a broader strategy aimed at improving traffic flow and providing smarter, more streamlined parking solutions within Abu Dhabi Island and beyond.

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