Ahmedabad, June 12 – In a tragic incident, Air India Flight AI-171, en route from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed minutes after takeoff on Thursday, slamming into a hostel for intern doctors in the Meghani Nagar area. The crash prompted the shutdown of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, with all flight operations suspended until further notice.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers, struck the third to fifth floors of a multi-storey residential building housing medical interns and their families. The crash triggered a massive blaze, trapping residents and forcing many to jump from windows in a desperate attempt to escape.
Preliminary reports suggest at least eight deaths, with dozens injured or missing. Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes. “A man threw his child from the fourth floor, trying to save her from the flames,” said a local resident. A woman who jumped from the same height reportedly suffered critical injuries.
In a disturbing development, reports of theft and looting during rescue operations have surfaced. Authorities say safes, jewellery, cash, and mobile phones were stolen from the hostel by individuals posing as volunteers, sparking public outrage.
Meanwhile, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has recovered the black box, which records flight data and cockpit conversations. This will be key in determining the cause of the crash. Early assessments indicate a possible double engine failure due to bird strikes, though a full investigation is underway.
Fire brigades, NDRF teams, and emergency responders continue rescue operations amid concerns that the damaged building may collapse. Relief work carried on into Thursday night, with authorities prioritizing the search for survivors and stabilizing the structure.
Further updates are awaited as the situation unfolds.
