TNR News Network
Dharamshala: A catastrophic plane crash in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar has left the city shaken, with horrifying scenes emerging from the site. The Air India aircraft, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed minutes after takeoff, colliding with a five-storey hostel and residential complex near the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
The death toll has risen to 266, with 241 of the 242 passengers onboard confirmed dead. The only known survivor managed to leap out of the burning fuselage and is undergoing treatment at a city hospital. The crash also claimed the life of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was among the passengers.
Eyewitnesses and first responders described an apocalyptic aftermath.
Never seen such scene, say disaster management officials
The force of the explosion caused a firestorm so intense that surface temperatures near the crash zone soared to an estimated 1,000 degrees Celsius, according to officials from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
“We have dealt with multiple emergencies over the years, but never anything like this. Even with full PPE gear, the heat was unbearable. The moment we approached the wreckage, we were pushed back by waves of searing air,” said an SDRF team member.
Rescue efforts were hampered by the blistering heat and thick black smoke billowing from the crash site. The plane had been carrying over 1.26 lakh litres of fuel, which ignited almost immediately upon impact.
The aircraft exploded into flames within seconds, producing a deafening boom that could be heard miles away.
Bodies charred beyond recognition
Flaming debris was strewn across roads and the crash left dozens of bodies charred beyond recognition.
Most were found scattered on the streets and within the rubble.
Officials say even animals and birds in the vicinity had no chance to escape, with several carcasses discovered burnt in nearby trees and drains.
The flight AI-171 had taken off from runway-23 at 1.39 pm. It was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, one Canadian and seven Portuguese passengers, in addition to two pilots and 10 cabin crew members. Just minutes into its journey, at an altitude of about 625 feet, the twin-engine aircraft began rapidly descending. It crashed into the medical hostel and staff quarters of BJ Medical College.
The authorities confirmed the wreckage will be examined by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) as part of a full-scale probe into what caused the crash.
265 bodies brought to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital
This is India’s deadliest aviation disaster since 1996, prompting urgent calls for enhanced air safety protocols.
So far, 265 bodies have been brought to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, with mass DNA testing now underway to aid identification. The hospital premises remain crowded with grieving families, many unable to even identify their loved ones due to severe burns. Emergency services continue to clear debris, even as faint traces of smoke linger in the air— haunting reminders of a tragedy that unfolded in moments but scarred a city forever.
