A tragic plane crash shook Ahmedabad on Thursday when an Air India flight bound for London crashed shortly after takeoff. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner (AI-171) plummeted onto a five-story hostel building in Meghaninagar, near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Initial reports suggest the hostel housed 50-60 medical interns, though it remains unclear how many were present during the crash.
Key Details of the Crash:
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Time of Incident: The flight took off at 1:39 PM but experienced technical issues almost immediately.
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Emergency Alert: The pilot reported an emergency to ATC, but the plane descended rapidly before any action could be taken.
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Impact Zone: The aircraft struck the hostel’s canteen area, where plates and food debris suggest people were present. A section of the plane remained lodged in the building, while another part exploded upon impact, triggering a massive fireball and thick black smoke.
Casualties & Rescue Efforts:
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Passenger Count: The flight carried 244 people, including 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, 1 Canadian, and 7 Portuguese citizens.
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Current Toll: Over 50 bodies have been recovered, with dozens of burn victims hospitalized.
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Rescue Operations: Police, fire brigades, NDRF, SDRF, BSF, and Air Force teams rushed to the site for search and rescue.
Miraculous Escape:
The hostel’s main wing was largely spared, preventing higher casualties. However, the canteen area suffered severe damage. Authorities are investigating whether engine failure or pilot error caused the crash.
Stay tuned for verified updates as this developing story unfolds.