Air India Passenger Plane Crash Tragedy Claims Hundreds in Ahmedabad

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner on a flight to London crashed in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Thursday, tragically impacting a crowded medical school dining area. Preliminary reports show that five medical students lost their lives as a result of the disaster, with at least 204 fatalities confirmed overall, marking it as the worst aviation accident in India since 1996. Survivors recounted the terrifying moments as debris scattered across the crash site. Firefighters were swift to respond, battling flames and searching for victims among the wreckage.

The B.J. Medical College was hosting dozens of students for lunch when the aircraft unexpectedly descended, colliding with the building. Dean Minakshi Parikh stated that while most students managed to escape, many were trapped in the ensuing blaze. Harrowing video footage documented the crash's aftermath, displaying billowing smoke and emergency personnel mobilizing to recover the deceased. Images showed the horrific destruction, with the plane’s wing and tail deeply embedded in the surrounding area.

Emergency medical staff rushed to treat those injured from the crash, scene footage revealing crowded hospital conditions with many individuals struggling for assistance. Families gathered outside hospitals, searching for news of their loved ones as ambulances continued to arrive at the scene. This disaster highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures in aviation to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Mujib Mashal, Hari Kumar, Monika Cvorak, and Maud Bodoukian contributed reporting.