Ahmedabad witnessed unimaginable horror on Thursday when Air India flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, turned into a fireball moments after take-off and crashed into the hostel of BJ Medical College. The grim aftermath has left the nation shaken, especially with the haunting visuals emerging from the crash site.
The most heart-breaking image? Plates of food left untouched on hostel tables¡ªevidence suggesting that many young doctors were midway through lunch when the aircraft tore through their building. What was meant to be an ordinary afternoon meal has now become a symbol of a tragedy that claimed lives and futures in an instant.
The Boeing 787-8 aircraft took off from Ahmedabad airport at 1:38 pm with 242 people onboard, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese passengers. A chilling Mayday signal was sent by the pilot seconds after take-off. But before any aid could reach, the flight had disappeared from radar, crashing within a minute into the government-run medical college hostel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow, calling the incident ¡°heartbreaking beyond words¡±. He said he has been in constant touch with emergency response teams and aviation authorities to ensure swift action.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he has directed all relevant agencies to coordinate efforts at the ground level, while his thoughts remain with the victims and their families.
Across the globe, UK Prime Minister?
?also reacted with sorrow, describing the scenes as ¡°devastating¡± and confirming that he is being updated on the developments regularly.
Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran assured that the airline's focus remains on supporting affected families and emergency responders. He added that all verified updates will be shared in due time and expressed his deepest condolences to those impacted.
The airline has also activated a dedicated passenger helpline ¡ª 1800 5691 444, for any information related to the crash.
As investigations begin, the nation mourns not just a flight lost, but young lives caught in the wrong place at the wrong time¡ªcut short in the most unthinkable way.