Air India Plane Crashes Into BJ Medical Hostel in Ahmedabad, 265 Dead

What should have been a routine international journey turned into a scene of unmatched devastation. Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel complex in Meghaninagar just minutes after takeoff, killing 265 people, including medics on the ground. Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

Only one man walked away alive.

Moments Before the Crash

The plane took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 PM. One minute later, everything fell apart. The aircraft, loaded with 1,25,000 liters of fuel, began a rapid descent. According to ‘FlightRadar24’, the last known altitude was 625 feet.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) tried urgently to contact the pilots. No reply.

Eyewitnesses reported a strange tilt in the aircraft, followed by a loud bang. The plane clipped a tree, then crashed into a five-storey hostel building. The explosion was instant. Black smoke, visible for miles, engulfed the sky.

241 Onboard, Only One Survives

The Dreamliner was carrying 229 passengers and 12 crew members. Among them, former CM Vijay Rupani, who was traveling to see his daughter in London. The aircraft, 11 years in service and capable of carrying 300 passengers, had just completed a long haul of 6,817 km.

All but one perished.

Seat 11-A, occupied by Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, was the only breath of life pulled from the wreckage. Bloodied but conscious, Vishwas staggered into an ambulance. His brother, who was seated elsewhere on the plane, remains missing.

Vishwas had just returned home to Gujarat for a family visit. The return turned into survival.

Plane Crash Destroys Medical Hostel in Ahmedabad

It wasn’t just the people in the sky who paid the price.

The plane slammed into the BJ Medical College hostel, destroying the dining hall and residential quarters. Twenty-four medics, including doctors and nursing students, were killed.

Those who had once saved lives died without warning.

The impact shattered nearby buildings and charred parked vehicles. Some cars were still smoldering hours later. A mobile video capturing the fireball went viral within minutes, spreading panic far beyond Ahmedabad.

Wheels and Debris Jammed Into Hostel Structure

Parts of the plane, including its wheels and fuselage, embedded into the walls of the hostel. The five-storey building shook with the impact, sending shockwaves through nearby structures. The dining hall was reduced to twisted metal and concrete, trapping those inside.

Inside, meals had just been served. Dozens of students and staff were gathered for lunch when the explosion hit, leaving no time to react. Emergency responders had to cut through rubble by hand to recover bodies, as the area was too unstable for heavy machinery.

Rescue Teams Battle Flames After Plane Crash

Rescue teams arrived within minutes. NDRF squads, firefighters, and local volunteers battled the flames and toxic smoke that filled the crash site. Many responders worked without protective gear, relying on makeshift tools to reach the injured. Oxygen cylinders were rushed in as smoke inhalation became a major concern.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu rushed to the site to oversee the operations and meet with local authorities.

“There was no chance for survival. The fire consumed everything,” Shah said, confirming that DNA testing will be needed to identify the dead due to the extent of the burns. Temporary morgues were set up nearby, and grief counseling teams were dispatched to assist the families.

Ahmedabad Airport Shut Down After Crash

The Ahmedabad airport was temporarily shut down following the crash, disrupting several flight operations. An IndiGo flight from Kolkata was forced to return mid-air due to airspace restrictions, and incoming flights were diverted to nearby cities like Vadodara and Udaipur.

The runway reopened late at night after debris was cleared and safety checks were completed. Control rooms were activated in both Ahmedabad and Delhi to coordinate relief efforts, manage flight schedules, and assist affected families.

Air India arranged special relief flights from Delhi and Mumbai to bring grieving families to Ahmedabad, offering free tickets and support at terminals.

A dedicated emergency hotline was also launched: 1800 5691 444, for families seeking information about passengers, medical updates, and identification protocols.

Captain and First Officer Tried to Regain Control

The aircraft was in the hands of experienced pilots.

·    Captain Sumit Sabharwal had 8,200 flight hours.

·    First Officer Clive Kunder, from Mangalore, trained in Paris and logged 1,100 hours.

Both men tried to regain control. Both died in the cockpit.

The black box, which contains the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder, is being retrieved. Investigators believe that the crucial final seconds will explain what happened.

The Air Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) will lead the inquiry, supported by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Boeing.

Tata Sons Announces Rs 1 Crore Compensation for Victims' Families

Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran addressed the nation with visible emotion, expressing deep sorrow over the tragic loss.

“Words fail. This tragedy has shaken all of us. We will provide Rs 1 crore to the families of each victim. We’ll cover all medical care for survivors and contribute to rebuilding the BJ Medical Hostel,” he said in a nationally televised statement.

The compensation package also includes support for education and long-term assistance for children who lost parents in the crash.

Air India changed its official display picture on X (formerly Twitter) to black, a digital moment of silence. In airports across India, flight announcements for Air India paused for one minute at noon, as ground staff observed silence in memory of the victims.

No One Will Be Spared from Accountability

Civil Aviation Minister Naidu promised an impartial investigation.

“This is a national tragedy. We will not allow excuses. Foreigners and children were on that flight. We need the truth, and accountability.”

         FAQs       

What happened to Air India Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad?

Air India Flight AI171, a London-bound Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 265 people after hitting a medical college hostel.

How many people were on the flight and how many survived?

There were 241 people on board. Only one passenger, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, survived.

Where did the Air India plane crash?

The plane crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel in Meghaninagar near Ahmedabad airport.

What caused the Air India crash?

The cause is under investigation. Early reports suggest the plane lost altitude after takeoff. Black box data is being analyzed.

Was the aircraft old or recently serviced?

The 11-year-old Boeing 787-8 was in serviceable condition and flown by experienced pilots.