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