A catastrophic air disaster unfolded on Thursday when Air India flight AI171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital just moments after takeoff, killing an estimated 265 people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ill-fated Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, departed from Ahmedabad at 1:39 PM IST. Within minutes, the aircraft issued a \u2018Mayday\u2019 distress call before vanishing from radar and crashing into a densely populated medical campus in Meghaninagar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanan Desai, 265 bodies have been brought to the city civil hospital<\/strong>. Several are charred beyond recognition, and DNA testing is underway<\/strong> at Kasoti Bhavan of BJ Medical College to confirm identities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Casualties and Survivors<\/strong> The crash also claimed lives on the ground. Four MBBS students living in the medical college hostel were killed, while 19 others were injured \u2014 five of them critically. A doctor’s wife died, and several relatives of staff remain missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Passenger Nationality Breakdown:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Possible Causes and Investigation<\/strong> The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the aircraft issued a Mayday call shortly after departure from Runway 23, but no further communication followed. The black box (FDR and CVR)<\/strong> is being retrieved to aid the investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Widespread Destruction<\/strong> Official Reactions and Relief Efforts<\/strong> Air India Chairperson N. Chandrasekaran<\/strong> and CEO Campbell Wilson<\/strong> offered condolences and said emergency response teams and helplines have been activated. Boeing has also stated it is coordinating with the airline and stands ready to assist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emergency Measures:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the worst aviation disaster in India<\/strong> since the 2020 Kozhikode crash and marks the first crash globally involving the Boeing 787 Dreamliner<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A catastrophic air disaster unfolded on Thursday when Air India flight AI171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital just moments after takeoff, killing an estimated 265 people. The ill-fated Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, departed from Ahmedabad at 1:39 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3442,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-3441","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n
Most on board are feared dead, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani<\/strong>, confirmed BJP leader C.R. Patil. However, one miraculous survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated in 11A, is said to have escaped with injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Aviation experts say the aircraft, carrying a full load of fuel for its international journey, climbed only 600\u2013800 feet before rapidly descending. Early theories include simultaneous engine failure<\/strong> or a bird strike<\/strong>. Visuals showed the landing gear still extended during descent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene as the plane exploded into flames mid-air and struck multi-storey residential buildings. Several structures, cars, and trees caught fire. One image showed the aircraft\u2019s nose embedded in the top floor of a hostel dining area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prime Minister Narendra Modi<\/strong> expressed deep grief, saying, \u201cThe tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n