It Was BJ Medical Hostel: An Air India 787-8 Dreamliner, operating Flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, tragically crashed into the hostel block of BJ Medical College just 30 seconds after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft erupted into a fireball, releasing a thick plume of black smoke over the densely populated Meghani Nagar neighborhood.
The flight was carrying 230 passengers along with 12 crew members. In the aftermath of the crash and subsequent explosion, it was confirmed that 241 individuals on board lost their lives, while 28 others on the ground also perished. More than 60 people, including students and staff from the medical college, suffered injuries. The only survivor, a 40-year-old British national named Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, managed to escape from seat 11A, located near an emergency exit, and is currently receiving medical treatment.
Eyewitnesses described horrifying scenes in the mess and hostel areas. Students were having lunch when the plane tore through the vicinity. Plates of uneaten food and terrified students jumping from windows underscored the suddenness of the disaster.
Emergency response teams from the Army, BSF State Reserve Police Force, and local police quickly arrived at the scene. Rescue crews worked to clear debris and transported hundreds of injured victims to nearby hospitals via specially designated green corridors.
It Was BJ Medical Hostel
Eyewitness Haresh Shah recounted, “The plane was flying very low before it crashed. As it struck the building, there was a loud explosion. Both the aircraft and the building ignited.”
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau have initiated a formal inquiry. Boeing and GE Aerospace are collaborating with U.S. and U.K. investigators from the NTSB and the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch to examine flight data and the recovered black boxes.
Key initial findings suggest that the aircraft ascended to approximately 625 feet before experiencing a rapid descent. Flight tracking data indicates that it lost radar contact at 1:38 p.m. local time, shortly after issuing a mayday call. Authorities are currently investigating possible causes, including misconfiguration of landing gear or flaps, engine failure, structural problems, or a bird strike.
Read Also: MBBS Abroad for Indian Students in 2025: Why More Are Making the Smart Move Towards a Bright Future
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow on X, describing the tragedy as “heartbreaking beyond words” and mentioning that he remains in contact with officials involved in the relief efforts. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the crash site to coordinate the ongoing response.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III extended their condolences, while Tata Group, the parent company of Air India, has established a support center for the families of the victims and has committed to providing assistance.
This crash represents the first hull-loss fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its debut in 2011, and it is considered one of the deadliest civil aviation disasters in recent Indian history.
Leave a Reply