Grief engulfs Ahmedabad as Air India’s London-bound flight crashes near the airport, claiming 204 lives and leaving 50 wounded.
Ahmedabad: A dark cloud looms over Ahmedabad today. An Air India flight, AI-171, bound for London, crashed minutes after takeoff near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport. The Boeing 787, carrying 242 souls, slammed into Meghani Nagar’s medical college hostel at 1:40 PM. Police Commissioner GS Malik confirmed 204 deaths, with 50 injured rushed to Civil Hospital. Smoke and sorrow filled the air. Hearts broke as the city faced this nightmare.
Death Toll and Debris
The toll is staggering. Malik revealed 204 bodies are lined up for post-mortem. Uncertainty hangs heavy. “Were they all passengers?” he wondered aloud. The hostel’s impact suggests ground casualties too. Intern doctors perished, others wounded. “It’s a scene of devastation,” said a rescuer, voice trembling. The crash’s echo lingers. A 2025 safety report warns of takeoff risks. Tears flow as families wait.
Crash Site Chaos
The tragedy unfolded fast. The plane, with 230 passengers and crew, took off at 1:40 PM and fell within moments. Additional Chief Secretary Dhananjay Dwivedi confirmed the crash hit a residential zone—hostels, staff quarters, and homes. Fifty injured lie in hospital. “Our doctors are among the victims,” he sighed. The impact shook the area. Smoke rose like a grim omen. Hope fades with each passing hour.
DNA Plea for Identification
Identification is a battle. Dwivedi urged relatives to submit DNA samples at Civil Hospital. Helplines—6357373831 and 6357373841—buzz with desperate calls. “We need to know who’s gone,” a mother cried. The process promises closure, but pain deepens. The city prays. A local whispered, “Our youth are lost.” The crash’s aftermath tests resilience. Will answers emerge from the rubble?
Nation in Mourning
Ahmedabad grieves. PM Narendra Modi called it “heartbreaking.” Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu rushed to the scene. Air India’s hotline, 1800 5691 444, offers little solace. “We’re shattered,” said a kin. The nation stands still. A 2024 study notes 15% of crashes involve human error. Was it pilot mistake or fate? The city demands justice. Hope flickers amid the ashes.